2026 National Basketball League | Men | Sunday April 26
- City Oilers 70-55 Rez Life Saints
The memory of their first round defeat still lingered, but this time, City Oilers made sure the story ended differently.
At Lugogo Indoor Arena, the Oilers produced a calm, controlled performance to beat RezLife Saints 70-55, avenging the 62-48 loss that had ended their unbeaten start earlier in the season.
Fayed Baale led the response with 22 points, adding three rebounds and two assists in a display that set the tone from the start.
Oilers came out sharper and more purposeful, taking the first quarter 19-10. Duot Ajang had given Saints an early lead after winning the tip off, but Baale quickly responded, and the Oilers never looked back.
Late three pointers from Baale and contributions from Laundry Ndikumana and Edgar Munaba stretched the gap.
The second quarter put clear distance between the sides. Oilers scored 28 points, with Titus Lual attacking the rim and Baale pushing the tempo.
Saints tried to stay close through Hon Kwany’s free throws and Ajang’s effort, but Ndikumana’s influence helped Oilers to a 41-28 halftime lead.
Saints showed fight after the break. Kwany hit from deep, Ajang added inside points, and a late dunk from Rin Tueny Mabor brought them within five at 53-48 going into the final quarter.
But Oilers stayed composed. Isaac Athuai Akoal and Malual Dier controlled the closing minutes, while the defense tightened when it mattered most.
Even after Edrine Ekau’s three pointer offered brief hope, Oilers kept their grip on the game.
Joel Lukoji’s late free throw sealed it, capping a disciplined 70-55 win.
Akoal was the other player to score double digits (10) for City Oilers while on the other side, Hon Kwany led with 17 points, Ajang (15) and Ekau chipped in 11.
The result not only settled the score but also showed Oilers’ response after back to back wins, including victory over KCCA Panthers on Saturday.
For RezLife Saints, it was a second straight second-round defeat, following their loss to the same UCU Canons on Saturday, a side they had beaten earlier in the season.
