Urunani Damage Fox Basketball’s BAL Dreams, Doumbya Dominates with 23 PTS, 17 REB Masterclass!

Urunani Damage Fox Basketball’s BAL Dreams, Doumbya Dominates with 23 PTS, 17 REB Masterclass!

Urunani of Burundi solidified their status as a top contender in the Road to BAL East Division Elite 16, defeating South Sudan's Fox Basketball 70-61 in a closely contested encounter. With the win, Urunani improved to 6-0, edging closer to a spot in the semifinals and moving closer to erasing the disappointment of their 2022 campaign, where they fell in the Last Four to the City Oilers.

Fox, coming off a tough opening loss to the City Oilers, showed remarkable improvement and determination in their second outing. Coach Ajou Deng emphasized the need for adjustments, and his players responded with a performance that pushed Urunani to the limit.

The opening quarter set the tone for a game defined by intensity and resilience. Fox entered the match as underdogs but came out strong, matching Urunani's pace and trading leads. The quarter featured six lead changes before Urunani edged ahead 14-10, with Mamadou Pabi Gueye's men showing early signs of their defensive prowess.

Fox found their rhythm in the second quarter. A 10-point burst led by Stephen Garbrah, with timely three-pointers from Aluk Adub and Akuel Marko Kot, gave Fox a 20-16 lead. Their energy and teamwork seemed to rattle Urunani momentarily, but the Burundian side regrouped.

Mohamed Doumbya stepped up with a crucial three-pointer to level the score at 23 before helping his team regain a narrow 26-25 advantage at halftime. The third quarter proved decisive. Fox came out firing, with back-to-back three-pointers from Makuei Puondak and Gob Makuac Gob helping them reclaim a 31-29 lead.

However, Urunani’s coach, Gueye, had been saving a trump card. Midway through the quarter, he introduced Christopher Crawford, who had rested until then. Crawford’s immediate impact was undeniable, highlighted by a long-range three-pointer that ignited a 9-1 run. With Crawford orchestrating the offence and Doumbya dominating the paint, Urunani surged ahead, building their largest lead of the game at 47-37 with just over two minutes left in the quarter.

Fox fought back admirably, cutting the deficit to 49-44 by the end of the third period. Despite their resilience, they struggled to match Urunani’s execution down the stretch. The Burundians continued to capitalize on their superior presence in the paint, outscoring Fox 32-20 in that area, which ultimately proved to be the difference in a game that saw 14 lead changes.

Doumbya was the standout performer of the night, delivering an exceptional double-double with 23 points and 17 rebounds. His impact on both ends of the floor underscored why he remains one of the tournament’s most reliable players.

“We relied on our defense to get us through the challenges of the first half,” Doumbya said post-game. “As long as the defense is well done, we can keep on winning. The last group-phase game will be tough, but we’ll follow the coaches’ plan and fight for the win.”

For Fox, the loss was a mix of frustration and pride. Puondak, who contributed significantly with his hustle and three-point shooting, acknowledged the team’s growing pains.

“Urunani did a great job with stoppages and making plays down the stretch,” he said. “This being our first time on this stage, I’m incredibly proud of the fight we brought. We still have a match to handle, and we’ll make adjustments to chase that win.”

As Urunani set their sights on maintaining their perfect record in their final group-phase game, the team knows their work is far from finished. Memories of last year’s semifinal exit loom large, and the players are determined to push further this time. Fox, meanwhile, faces a critical game against Matero Magic, where only a win will keep their slim hopes alive.

With every game tightening the race to qualify for the BAL, the stakes continue to rise. Urunani’s composure and defensive strength position them as formidable contenders, but the unpredictable nature of the tournament means no team can afford to relax.

[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]