National Basketball League (Men) | Sunday
- City Oilers 64-62 JKL Dolphins
The cracks in City Oilers’ decade-long dominance of the National Basketball League widened further on Sunday after a narrow 62-64 overtime defeat to JKL Dolphins at YMCA Court in Wandegeya.
It was a fourth loss in six games for the 10-time reigning champions, whose uncharacteristically shaky start has cast a shadow over their 2025 campaign.
The Oilers had appeared on course to steady their season early on, racing to an 18-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. But the Dolphins refused to fold, staying within reach before Denis Tom Omara’s critical three-pointer tied the game at 52-52 to force overtime.
In the tense extra period, JKL edged the Oilers 12-10 with Noel Solomon Ngambere starring with 16 points. Omara added 15 points while Haron Arinaitwe contributed 14 in a gritty team effort that sealed the Dolphins’ fourth win of the season.
For the struggling Oilers, Fayed Baale led with 17 points and Joseph Chuma chipped in 15, while Titus Lual, returning from injury, posted 5 points and 10 rebounds.
But glaring offensive struggles, particularly a woeful 7 for 41 from beyond the arc and a meagre 8 points from the bench, once again plagued the champions.
Elsewhere in the league, KCCA Panthers cruised to a 68-43 victory over Victoria Crocs, JT Jaguars edged Rezlife Saints 55-50, and KIU Titans handed Sommet their second consecutive defeat with a commanding 77-60 win.
