BNL Round 4: Panthers lose their first game against Rhinos

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Panthers (4-1) in Johannesburg on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by fifth ranked Rhinos (3-1) 76-68. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Panthers. They outrebounded Panthers 62-34 including a 29-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. 32 personal fouls committed by Panthers helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Sakhile Skhosana who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points and 19 rebounds and swingman Richard Lubasi who added 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. At the losing side Angolan guard Christian Kabasele (-90) responded with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rhinos have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Tshwane S. Defending champion Panthers keep the second position with one game lost. Rhinos is looking forward to face Suns (#5) in Tshwane in the next round. Panthers will have a break next round.
Limpopo Pride has registered their first victory this season after two consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in Potchefstroom, where they defeated Eagles (1-3) 51-44. The winners were led by swingman Vlademir Sefala who had that evening a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds and Ernst Masimini supported him with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Even a double-double of 11 points and 16 rebounds by swingman Thomas Rutsito did not help to save the game for Eagles. Eagles' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Limpopo Pride (1-2) left bottom position moving up to sixth place. It was Eagles' third loss in a row. They dropped to the seventh position with three games lost. Limpopo Pride will play against Northern Cape Z. (#9) in the next round. Eagles will play against Mountaineers to get more than just one victory in their record.
Eagles has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in , where they defeated Northern Cape Z. (1-5) 67-59 on Saturday. Aubrey Makwande fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Job Mashwabathi produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 18 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Eagles (1-3) left bottom position moving up to seventh place. It was Northern Cape Z.'s fourth loss in a row. They keep the ninth position with five games lost. Eagles will meet at home higher ranked Mountaineers (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Northern Cape Z. will play against Limpopo Pride (#6) and hope to win that game.
BNL top team - Magic (6-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Northern Cape Z. (1-5) in Johannesburg 92-68. It was a very good performance for Kwazi Gumede who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Undefeated Magic have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-0 record. Northern Cape Z. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with five games lost. Magic will have a break next round. Northern Cape Z. will play against Limpopo Pride (#6) and hope to win that game.

In the last two games of round 4 Tshwane S. won against East Cape W. on the opponent's court 64-47. Mpumalanga R. outscored East Cape W. in a home game 83-62.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 18 points, 23 rebounds and 7 blocks by Nkosinathi Sibanyoni of Mpumalanga R..

NW Eagles - Limpopo Pride 44-51

Limpopo Pride has registered their first victory this season after two consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in Potchefstroom, where they defeated Eagles (1-3) 51-44. Limpopo Pride held Eagles to an opponent 23.7 percent shooting from the field compared to 29.2 percent accuracy of the winners. The winners were led by swingman Vlademir Sefala who had that evening a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds and swingman Ernst Masimini supported him with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Even a double-double of 11 points and 16 rebounds by swingman Thomas Rutsito did not help to save the game for Eagles. Swingman Graci Kibikiabo added 10 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for lost side. Eagles' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Limpopo Pride (1-2) left bottom position moving up to sixth place. It was Eagles' third loss in a row. They dropped to the seventh position with three games lost. Limpopo Pride will play against Northern Cape Z. (#9) in the next round. Eagles will play against Mountaineers to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Limpopo Pride: E.Masimini 14+8reb+1ast, S.Vlademir 13+12reb, L.Johannes 10+5reb+2ast, J.Malahlela 9+11reb+1ast, T.Banda 2+2reb+2ast, L.Eddie 2+1reb+1ast
NW Eagles: R.Thomas 11+16reb, K.Graci 10+10reb+5ast, R.Boitumelo 5+1reb, M.Nceba 5+7reb, M.Thapelo 5+2reb+1ast, M.Prince 4+5reb

Northern Cape Z. - NW Eagles 59-67

Eagles has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in , where they defeated Northern Cape Z. (1-5) 67-59 on Saturday. Eagles dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Northern Cape Z.'s 28. Eagles forced 29 Northern Cape Z. turnovers and had a 27-12 advantage in offensive rebounds. Swingman Aubrey Makwande fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Swingman Graci Kibikiabo chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. Job Mashwabathi produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 18 rebounds and Molelekoa Maqabe added 20 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Eagles (1-3) left bottom position moving up to seventh place. It was Northern Cape Z.'s fourth loss in a row. They keep the ninth position with five games lost. Eagles will meet at home higher ranked Mountaineers (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Northern Cape Z. will play against Limpopo Pride (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
NW Eagles: M.Thapelo 17+6reb, M.Aubrey 17+10reb, K.Graci 15+7reb+3ast, M.Hlologelo 5+2reb+1ast, M.Azanda 5+2reb, K.Thandokuhle 4+2reb
Northern Cape Z.: M.Molelekoa 20+4reb+4ast, M.Job 12+18reb, N.Cader 9+2reb, S.Louw 8+4reb, O.Moya 6+2reb+1ast, M.Zuko 3

Soweto P. - Mpumalanga R. 68-76

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Panthers (4-1) in Johannesburg on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by fifth ranked Rhinos (3-1) 76-68. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Panthers. They outrebounded Panthers 62-34 including a 29-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. 32 personal fouls committed by Panthers helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Sakhile Skhosana who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points and 19 rebounds and swingman Richard Lubasi who added 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. At the losing side Angolan guard Christian Kabasele (-90) responded with 13 points and 7 rebounds and swingman Tshepo Mogotsi (-92) scored 10 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rhinos have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Tshwane S. Defending champion Panthers keep the second position with one game lost. Rhinos is looking forward to face Suns (#5) in Tshwane in the next round. Panthers will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Mpumalanga R.: L.Richard 19+9reb+6ast, S.Sakhile 16+19reb+2ast, B.Jonny 14+10reb, S.Vusi 6+8reb, V.Sambo 6+4ast, M.Simphiwe 5+1ast
Soweto P.: C.Kabasele 13+7reb+1ast, T.Mogotsi 10+8reb+1ast, D.Mitchell 9+2reb, L.Mofokeng 8+7reb+3ast, M.Sphelele 7, K.Motaung 7+5reb

East Cape W. - Tshwane S. 47-64

Very expected game in Port Elizabeth where 10th ranked East Cape W. (1-6) was defeated by fourth ranked Suns (3-1) 64-47. Suns forced 39 East Cape W. turnovers. It was a very good performance for guard Marcus Mokwena (-88) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds. Ludwig Gerdes (191-94) contributed with 10 points for the winners. Swingman Julian Wright replied with 16 points and 6 rebounds and Botswana Thuto Gaborone (-92) added 12 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for East Cape W.Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Suns have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 3-1 record, which they share with Mpumalanga R. East Cape W. at the other side stay at the bottom place with six games lost. Suns' next round opponent will be Northern Cape Z. (#9) where they are favorite.
Top scorers:
Tshwane S.: M.Mokwena 17+13reb+3ast, L.Gerdes 10+4reb+1ast, L.Malakia 10+1ast, N.Kagiso 9+5reb+1ast, L.Nqosa 8+6reb, S.Emanuel 4+6reb
East Cape W.: W.Julian 16+6reb, T.Gaborone 12+6reb+2ast, L.Dikana 5+2reb+1ast, R.Jobson 5+3reb, M.Lwazi 4+6reb, K.Kwanele 3+3reb+2ast

Egoli Magic - Northern Cape Z. 92-68

BNL top team - Magic (6-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Northern Cape Z. (1-5) in Johannesburg 92-68. Magic made 28-of-37 charity shots (75.7 percent) during the game, while Northern Cape Z. only scored seven points from the stripe. Magic forced 29 Northern Cape Z. turnovers. 27 personal fouls committed by Northern Cape Z. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a very good performance for swingman Kwazi Gumede who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 4 assists. The former international swingman Reece Prinsloo (203-91) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Four Magic players scored in double figures. Molelekoa Maqabe replied with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Job Mashwabathi added 13 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Northern Cape Z.The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Magic have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-0 record. Northern Cape Z. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with five games lost. Magic will have a break next round. Northern Cape Z. will play against Limpopo Pride (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Egoli Magic: G.Kwazi 19+4reb+4ast, N.Adriano 16+4reb+1ast, M.Thibi 15+5reb+2ast, R.Prinsloo 12+11reb+1ast, E.Pasipamire 8+5reb, B.Nsele 8+2reb+1ast
Northern Cape Z.: M.Molelekoa 20+10reb+4ast, M.Job 13+11reb, J.Matsietsa 11+11reb, S.Louw 7+3reb, B.Pietersen 6+3reb+2ast, M.Zuko 6+2reb+1ast

Mpumalanga R. - East Cape W. 83-62

Very predictable result in Mbombela where fifth ranked Rhinos (3-1) smashed bottom-ranked East Cape W. (1-6) 83-62. Rhinos forced 19 East Cape W. turnovers. They brought some defensive toughness making 11 blocks. Quite impressive performance for swingman Nkosinathi Sibanyoni who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points, 23 rebounds and 7 blocks. Guard Vusi Sibeko contributed with 12 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Four Rhinos players scored in double figures. Botswana Thuto Gaborone (-92) replied with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals and Lwazi Mapititza added 13 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for East Cape W.Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Rhinos have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Tshwane S. East Cape W. at the other side stay at the bottom position with six games lost. Rhinos' next round opponent will be Suns (#5) in Tshwane.
Top scorers:
Mpumalanga R.: S.Nkosinathi 18+23reb+3ast, L.Richard 13+1reb+2ast, S.Vusi 12+6reb+1ast, B.Jonny 11+3reb, C.Tinotenda 9+4reb+4ast, V.Sambo 6+3reb+2ast
East Cape W.: T.Gaborone 16+8reb+6ast, M.Lwazi 13+7reb+1ast, W.Julian 10+11reb, S.Ala 6, L.Dikana 4+1reb+1ast, R.Jobson 4+3reb



Tags : ERNST MASIMINI, LIMPOPO PRIDE, SOUTH AFRICAN BASKETBALL