Going into the 2015 Afrobasket round of 16 match-up between Uganda’s Silverbacks and Senegal, it was clear to Uganda’s point guard Josh Johnson that it would be a battle of David vs. Goliath.
In the modern world, Davids do not win always. Actually they hardly win and so was the case when tournament debutants Uganda took on five-time champions Senegal at the qualification round of the event.
After opening the first quarter scoring with three 3-pointers and competing on every possession, the difference between the sides started to show as the first 10 minutes of the game expired.
As Senegal started to get into their groove of ascendency as the game grows, Uganda also their groove of decadence and the first quarter closed with Senegal ahead (16-13) of Uganda who led by 7 (11-4) midway through the quarter.
Forward, Antoine Mendy opened Senegal’s second quarter scoring from downtown off Kassim Nagwere’s turnover and by mid-quarter, the West Africans had opened a double digit lead (28-18) on their counter parts from the East and did not look back.
Despite starting slow, Gorgui Dieng turned in game high 23 points and 17 rebounds. It was Dieng’s fourth successive game at the tournament racking up a double-double.
Mendy who lifted Senegal as Dieng was getting into the game contributed 22 points while point guard Xane Dalmeida chipped in with 8 points and assisted 8 baskets as Maleye Ndoye struggled to find the basket.
The Silverbacks who were forced into jump shooting had the worst shooting game in tournament connecting on a mere 17-of-78 from the floor.
Stanley Ocitti scored team high 16 points from 26 shots. The power forward also picked 11 rebounds. Samuel Mukooza contributed 9 points that all came in the first half. Brandon Sebirumbi turned in 7 points to go with 12 rebounds.
