BASKETBALL: Wits Lady Bucks spring win over UJ
Win ‘too close for comfort’, says Wits player while UJ forward rues ‘poor defence and messy offence.
Wits Lady Bucks beat the UJ Women’s Basketball team 62-57 in a tight game of the Gauteng University Basketball League (GUBL) in Hall 29 at Wits on Sunday, May 21.
UJ started off strong leaving Wits 13 points behind by the end of the first quarter.
As the second quarter progressed UJ’s defence weakened as they struggled to gain momentum throughout the rest of the game. Wits, on the other hand, elevated their defence in the second quarter and ended up shooting 25 more baskets.
Although UJ caught up with Wits, tying the score at 42-42 in the third quarter, their efforts went down the drain as Wits ultimately reigned supreme at the end of the last quarter with a five-point lead.
“We lacked mental toughness and discipline, which led to our poor defence and messy offence,” said Ariane Bitchong from UJ who played the power-forward position.
Top scorer of the day, Chineye Eneanya who shot 14 out of the 38 Lady Bucks baskets, told Wits Vuvuzela that, “Although we eventually won the game, it was too close for comfort. If we constantly keep playing like this, we are gonna lose.”
Twenty-year-old Lady Bucks supporter, and second-year computer science student, Oriinga Maudu, was full of praises for Eneanya’s performance, emphasising how “She provided value throughout the 35 minutes she played, despite being tired.”
Pleased about the win, Wits Lady Bucks manager Nametso Raltou said, “This win was a confidence boost for the team as the girls now know that it’s possible to win if we all put in the work.”
The GUBL started on Thursday, May 18, and is jointly hosted by Wits and the University of Pretoria (Tuks). There are 14 teams in total with half being the men’s teams. The league ends on Sunday, May 28.
So far Wits has played against Varsity College, Vaal University of Technology and UJ. On Saturday, May 27, they will play against Tshwane University of Technology, and against North West on Sunday, May 28.
Wits Lady Bucks go over game plan during timeout. Photo: Nonhlanhla Mathebula 
UJ Women’s Team plan their next move after head coach Mandla Ngema calls for a timeout during the second quarter. Photo: Nonhlanhla Mathebula 
UJ’s Olwethu Khanyile tries to get past Ynez Mayet’s defence. Photo: Nonhlanhla Mathebula 
UJ spectators came ready for the coldness in Hall 29. Photo: Nonhlanhla Mathebula 
UJ player jumps for the ball while Wits’ Ynez Mayet tries to pass it over. Photo: Nonhlanhla Mathebula 
Frustrated coach Ngema turns his back to the game. Photo: Nonhlanhla Mathebula. 
Referee gives UJ its fourth foul and an unhappy player complains behind him. Photo: Nonhlanhla Mathebula. 
Wits Lady Bucks manager Nametso Ratlou hands out high-fives to her team. Photo: Nonhlanhla Mathebula.
FEATURED IMAGE: A UJ Women’s Basketball team player pushes through a Wits player’s defence. Photo: Nonhlanhla Mathebula
RELATED ARTICLES:
- Wits Vuvuzela, BASKETBALL: Wits Bucks win at home over UJ Orange Wave, May, 2023.
- Wits Vuvuzela, Despite a win, Wits bows out of the basketball season. May, 2023.
- Wits Vuvuzela, #Ashies2023: Wits Bucks balling differently, April 2023.
