Rezlife Saints are through to the National Basketball League semifinals after edging Sommet 69-61 in a thrilling decisive Game Three of the quarterfinals on Sunday at Lugogo.
With the best-of-three series tied at 1-1, Sunday’s contest was a winner-takes-all affair.
Rezlife made the brighter start, taking a 19-15 lead after the opening quarter, but Sommet rallied to edge into a 36-35 halftime advantage.
The contest remained finely balanced after the break, with the lead changing hands several times before Rezlife carried a narrow 51-49 cushion into the fourth quarter.
Sommet looked set to seize control midway through the final period when Mathew Kisakye’s driving lay-up gave them a five-point lead. However, Rezlife responded through Hon Kwany’s three-pointer before Edrine Ekau calmly knocked down two free throws to level the score at 61-61.
Rezlife then finished strongly, holding Sommet scoreless down the stretch to seal an eight-point victory and the series.
Ekau led Rezlife with 17 points, while Michael Otieno and Chris Omanye added 13 and 10 points respectively.
Kisakye produced a game-high 20 points for Sommet, with Dieu Thuok Kuol and Peter Cheng contributing 13 and 10 points, but their efforts were not enough to keep their season alive.
Rezlife also dominated the boards 45-40, while Sommet’s 20 turnovers proved costly.
Rezlife Saints will now face City Oilers in the best-of-five semifinal series, while Namuwongo Blazers take on UCU Canons in the other semifinal.
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