City Oilers showed once again why they remain the standard of Ugandan basketball, outlasting Namuwongo Blazers 76–70 to claim Game One of the National Basketball League Finals on Friday night at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.
While the scoreboard told a tale of a tight contest, the difference came down to composure — and Chad Bowie’s brilliance. The American guard was in inspired form, dropping a game-high 29 points to guide the defending champions to a crucial opening win in the best-of-seven series.
The Blazers had burst out with early intensity, racing to a 7–0 lead and forcing an Oilers timeout. But experience soon steadied the ship. Bowie and teammate Kurt Wegscheider sparked a run that flipped the momentum, and by halftime the Oilers were in control, their precision contrasting sharply with the Blazers’ careless turnovers.
Despite flashes of resistance — notably from Joel Lukoji, who poured in 22 points — the Blazers never truly wrested back control. Even when Arthur Wanyoto briefly levelled the scores in the fourth quarter, the Oilers responded instantly through Bowie’s ice-cold shooting and Mer Maker’s inside presence.
A late scare saw Maker foul out, but by then the Oilers’ rhythm and mental discipline had done enough. Wegscheider (16 points) and Joseph Chuma (12) offered solid support as the champions closed out the win before a roaring crowd.
For the Blazers, it was a reminder that against a seasoned Oilers side, early energy isn’t enough — consistency and control will decide this series.
Game Two now looms large, with the Oilers seeking to tighten their grip and the Blazers desperate to prove they can punch back.
