BNL Round 5: Zebras lose to Rhinos in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Kimberley. 4th placed host Zebras (1-3) were smashed by leader Rhinos (2-0) 99-65. Rhinos dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Zebras' 28. Rhinos forced 23 Zebras turnovers and outrebounded them 49-35 including 17 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Zebras' players. The former international Marcus Mokoena stepped up and scored 13 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals for the winners and guard Vusi Sibeko chipped in 10 points and 11 rebounds. Rhinos' coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Didier Tshimanga responded with 19 points. Rhinos keep a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Zebras at the other side keep the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with L.Pride.
Zebras has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in Port Elizabeth, where they defeated Windbreakers (0-2) 84-76. Zimbabwean power forward Thomas Rutsito (202-97) nailed a triple-double by scoring 20 points, 15 rebounds and 17 blocks for the winning side and Molelekoa Maqabe accounted for 25 points and 7 rebounds. Giovanni Jaftha came up with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for Windbreakers in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Zebras maintains fourth place with 1-3 record, which they share with L.Pride. Windbreakers at the other side still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with NW Eagles.
Pride has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in Port Elizabeth, where they defeated Windbreakers (0-2) 67-50 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was Damien Kasongo who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 28 rebounds. Thuto Gaborone produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Windbreakers' coach rotated twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Pride (1-3) left bottom position moving up to fourth place, which they share with NC Zebras. Loser Windbreakers still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with NW Eagles.

In the last game of round 5 L.Pride lost to undefeated M.Rhinos on the opponent's court 58-77.

M.Rhinos - L.Pride 77-58

Rather expected game in Mbombela where 6th ranked Pride (1-3) was crushed by leader Rhinos (2-0) 77-58 on Saturday. Rhinos forced 22 Pride turnovers. The best player for the winners was the former international Marcus Mokoena who had a double-double by scoring 22 points, 24 rebounds and 4 assists. Bantaleka Josias chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds. Four Rhinos players scored in double figures. Damien Kasongo produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 20 rebounds and forward Panti Kalubi added 13 points and 14 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Rhinos keep a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Pride lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with NC Zebras.
Top scorers:
L.Pride: K.Damien 23+20reb, E.Masimini 15+2reb+1ast, K.Panti 13+14reb+1ast, P.Gabriel 3+3reb, L.Johannes 2+4reb, L.Eddie 2+8reb
M.Rhinos: M.Mokoena 22+24reb+4ast, K.Nathan 16+2reb+3ast, T.Joshua 11+3reb, J.Bantaleka 11+13reb+1ast, N.Tebogo 7, C.Khumalo 5+2reb

EC Windbreakers - NC Zebras 76-84

Zebras has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in Port Elizabeth, where they defeated Windbreakers (0-2) 84-76. Zebras forced 19 Windbreakers turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Zebras brought some defensive toughness making 17 blocks. Zimbabwean power forward Thomas Rutsito (202-97) nailed a triple-double by scoring 20 points, 15 rebounds and 17 blocks for the winning side and Molelekoa Maqabe accounted for 25 points and 7 rebounds. Giovanni Jaftha came up with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and swingman Julian Wright (196-90) added 13 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Windbreakers in the defeat. Four Windbreakers players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Zebras maintains fourth place with 1-3 record, which they share with L.Pride. Windbreakers at the other side still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with NW Eagles.
Top scorers:
EC Windbreakers: M.Olebogang 20+1reb+2ast, J.Giovanni 15+9reb+4ast, W.Julian 13+10reb+1ast, T.Gaborone 12+7reb, G.Ian 6+13reb, L.Mapititza 4+3reb
NC Zebras: M.Molelekoa 25+7reb+3ast, R.Thomas 20+15reb, T.Didier 14+11reb+3ast, M.Zuko 7+4reb+4ast, S.Dorabile 5+6reb+2ast, X.Xaba 5+5reb+1ast

EC Windbreakers - L.Pride 50-67

Pride has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in Port Elizabeth, where they defeated Windbreakers (0-2) 67-50 on Sunday. Pride forced 22 Windbreakers turnovers and outrebounded them 54-41 including a 23-12 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Damien Kasongo who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 28 rebounds. Swingman Ernest Masimini chipped in 21 points and 6 assists. Botswana guard Thuto Gaborone (181-92) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists and Ridwaan Jobson (180-91) added 20 points respectively for the hosts. Windbreakers' coach rotated twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Pride (1-3) left bottom position moving up to fourth place, which they share with NC Zebras. Loser Windbreakers still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with NW Eagles.
Top scorers:
EC Windbreakers: R.Jobson 20+1reb, T.Gaborone 12+14reb+4ast, G.Tashinga 4+2reb, G.Ian 4+9reb+1ast, W.Julian 4+4reb, A.Uithaler 2+4reb+6ast
L.Pride: K.Damien 22+28reb+1ast, E.Masimini 21+4reb+6ast, K.Panti 9+14reb+1ast, L.Eddie 5, L.Johannes 3+1reb+1ast, P.Gabriel 3+1reb

NC Zebras - M.Rhinos 65-99

The game between Top Four teams took place in Kimberley. 4th placed host Zebras (1-3) were smashed by leader Rhinos (2-0) 99-65. Rhinos dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Zebras' 28. Rhinos forced 23 Zebras turnovers and outrebounded them 49-35 including 17 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Zebras' players. The former international Marcus Mokoena stepped up and scored 13 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals for the winners and guard Vusi Sibeko chipped in 10 points and 11 rebounds. Five Rhinos players scored in double figures. Rhinos' coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Didier Tshimanga responded with 19 points and Dorabile Sekitla scored 14 points and 8 rebounds. Rhinos keep a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Zebras at the other side keep the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with L.Pride.
Top scorers:
NC Zebras: T.Didier 19+3reb+2ast, S.Dorabile 14+8reb+1ast, M.Molelekoa 9+5reb+2ast, R.Thomas 7+11reb+1ast, W.Tshabalala 6+3reb+1ast, M.Zuko 3
M.Rhinos: M.Sphelele 15+1reb+1ast, M.Mokoena 13+9reb+7ast, T.Joshua 13+7reb+1ast, J.Bantaleka 11+10reb, M.Paul 11+2reb+2ast, K.Nathan 11+4reb+3ast



Tags : THOMAS RUTSITO, NORTHERN CAPE ZEBRAS, SOUTH AFRICAN BASKETBALL