The City Oilers reminded everyone why they are still the National Basketball League’s team to beat, cruising past JT Jaguars 77-62 in their quarterfinal playoff opener at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Tuesday night.
After a turbulent regular season that raised doubts about their dominance, the Oilers unveiled a sharper, retooled side powered by fresh signings Chad Bowie and Kurt Curry Wegscheider. Their arrival injected pace, composure, and balance into a team that looked vulnerable just weeks ago.
The Jaguars, however, proved stubborn early on. They trailed by only four points after the opening quarter (22-18) before turning the tables at halftime with a 37-33 advantage, thanks to relentless work from Peter Sifuma, who eventually recorded a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds.
But the Oilers’ championship pedigree showed after the break. With Mer Maker dominating the paint and Bowie steady on the perimeter, they swung momentum, outscoring the Jaguars 21-7 in the third quarter to take control at 54-44. From there, it was a procession. The final frame belonged entirely to the record champions, who stretched the lead to 15 points and never looked back.
Bowie finished with 16 points, Maker added 13, while Wegscheider chipped in 10, underlining the depth and firepower that could define this postseason run.
For the Jaguars, game one offered lessons but also underlined the challenge ahead. Unless they find a way to counter Oilers’ new offensive rhythm, the series could slip away quickly.
