- National Basketball League | Men | Wednesday
- Victoria Crocs 65-52 City Oilers
Victoria University’s basketball team, the Victoria Crocs, pulled off one of the season’s biggest upsets on Wednesday night, toppling reigning champions City Oilers 65–52 in a fiery National Basketball League match at YMCA Court.
Chuol Nyuot was the heart of it all, putting up a dominant double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds to spearhead the Crocs’ charge. Cedric Alema chipped in with 16 points, especially stepping up in the second half when the Crocs seized control.
The opening quarter was a dead heat, ending 14-14, with Fayed Baale hitting two three-pointers to keep the Oilers in it. City Oilers nudged ahead by halftime, 32–29, thanks to a buzzer-beating layup by Rogers John Baptist Dauna.
But the second half was all Crocs, they tightened up defensively, forced turnovers, and hit the Oilers hard on fast breaks.
The momentum swing was rapid and decisive, Victoria opened up an 11-point lead that the Oilers never recovered from. A late three-pointer by Joseph Chuma sealed the upset.
Edgar Munaba led the Oilers with 12 points, and Baale added 10, but they struggled to match Victoria’s energy and execution when it mattered most.
The result sent a clear warning to the NBL’s traditional powerhouses: the Crocs are no longer underdogs.
City Oilers coach Andrew Tendo now faces pressure to regroup quickly ahead of Friday’s crucial showdown with Namuwongo Blazers at Lugogo Indoor Arena. A second straight loss would raise more serious questions for the defending champions.
At the same YMCA venue, the UPDF Lady Tomahawks powered past Nkumba Lady Marines 85–68.
Over in Naalya, the Miracle Eaglets shocked the Magic Stormers 62–51 in the women’s division, while the Kampala Rockets cruised to a 75–53 win over Livingstone.
