Round 2 of Varsity Basketball had spectators on the edge of their seats at the Wits Sports Hall with unexpected results the name of the game.
UWC MAKE VUT WORK
UWC and VUT got the day’s proceedings underway in the morning, in a game that went right to the wire. UWC trailed 27-20 in the first quarter but quickly recovered in the second, committing less fouls and turning more attempts at the hoop into points, even out-scoring VUT in the process by 27 points to 12. That saw the men from the Western Cape go into the interval surprisingly leading 47-39. With the game seemingly going down to the last second, VUT came out a more determined outfit, with Richard Lubasi and Anthony Chukwurah firing from all angles. VUT’s more expansive way of play, saw them edge the third quarter before narrowly coming out unscathed in the final quarter to secure an 86-83 win.
UJ CRUISE PAST UCT
UJ were fairly dominant in the second game of the day against UCT. The men from Cape Town generally struggled to keep up with UJ’s intensity on the court, with the Orange Army often moving the ball around the park at a swift pace. The speed in the counter attacks also made life difficult for UCT, who were often caught napping. The men from the Cape did however manage to outscore UJ in the second quarter but a dim performance in the third, saw them fall to an even bigger deficit, which in the end was too much to recover. UJ however really stamped their authority on the game in the third quarter, where they scored 39 points. The fourth quarter saw UCT look to try finish the game off strong but UJ stood firm to cruise to a comfortable 93-69 triumph.
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS WITS SHOCKED BY UP-TUKS
The eleventh game of the tournament, was a mammoth one that featured Jukskei rivals Wits and UP-Tuks. Wits who were yet to be defeated since the start of the tournament in 2018, suffered their first loss at the hands of UP-Tuks. The Tshwane side took advantage of a Powerplay that saw them switch things around very quickly, against a very panicky Wits team. As with other Varsity Sports tournaments, the Powerplay serves as a period of play that doubles points that are scored during that period. Each team has one each in a game and may call it at anytime. Wits were dominant in all the quarters except the second, where UP-Tuks took full advantage of their Powerplay. In the end, that quarter was the difference between the two sides, with UP-Tuks inflicting Wits’ first defeat and claiming bragging rights in the derby, winning 76-69.
NEWBIES NWU CATCH UKZN COLD
The final game of round 2 saw a shock result for UKZN, who in the last few seconds were deadlocked at 80-80 with debutants NWU. A mistake from UKZN then saw NWU quickly pounce and score a two-pointer to take the lead with 30 seconds on the clock. UKZN then searched for a late revival but another mistake cost them, with NWU extending their lead by landing a three-pointer that saw them claim their first ever victory 85-80. In the end a lapse of concentration and composure saw a very promising UKZN team stunned.
VARSITY BASKETBALL ROUND 2 RESULTS
UWC 83 VUT 86
UCT 69 UJ 93
UP-Tuks 76 Wits 69
UKZN 80 NWU 85
By S’fiso Nyawo
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