The City Oilers last evening secured their first win of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile conference with an 82-81 victory over reigning BAL champions Al Ahly to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Forward Khaman Maluach yet again put up an impressive performance with a double-double of 27 points and 16 rebounds with guard Randy Culpepper adding 20 points while an improved display from the experienced Dane Miller Jr saw him contribute 14 points and 4 rebounds in the winning effort.
Going into the final period, the Oilers trailed 64-56 but played with character and determination to ensure victory. Trailing 77-72 with two minutes left, the side capitalized on an Al Ahly turnover for a Culpepper three-point to close the gap to two points.
Maluach soon followed up a second chance opportunity following a failed Culpepper three-point attempt to level the game at 77-all before he soon added another two points.
Al Ahly moved back ahead 80-79 thanks to guard Ehab Amin Saleh’s effort as he extended his tally to 15 points and 8 rebounds for the game as he converted from the line for an 81-79 lead.
On the other end, Culpepper capitalized on a Patrick Rembert pass inside the paint to level the game at 81-81 before he added the extras to see the nine-time Ugandan champions seal an 82-81 triumph.
The City Oilers will be back in action tomorrow at 6pm against Central Africa’s Bangui SC as they look to improve on their 1-3 record – currently bottom of the standings with two games to play. The top two sides at the end of the games are guaranteed automatic qualification to the playoffs due 24 May-1 June in Kigali, Rwanda.
