BNL Round 1 (Regular Season): S.Panthers lose to M.Rhinos

The Regular Season in BNL just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Panthers in Johannesburg on Saturday night. Hosts were rolled over by Rhinos 76-46. M.Rhinos held S.Panthers to an opponent 21.9 percent shooting from the field compared to 33.3 percent accuracy of the winners. M.Rhinos forced 28 S.Panthers turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when M.Rhinos made 9 blocks. 24 personal fouls committed by S.Panthers helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Swingman Kwazi Gumede (191-1997) fired 27 points for the winners. Thabo Mafetho chipped in 6 points, 24 rebounds and 5 blocks. Ntshuxeko Manyani produced 8 points and 11 rebounds for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Important game to mention about took place in Mbombela. Rhinos saved a 3-point victory at home edging MBB 58-55 on Sunday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Vusi Sibeko (-1991) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds. Ian Lembe contributed with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. The former international power forward Reece Prinsloo (203-1991) answered with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 14 rebounds for MBB. Rhinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. MBB will play on the road against Cape Town T. to get more than just one victory in their record.




S.Panthers - M.Rhinos 46-76

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Panthers in Johannesburg on Saturday night. Hosts were rolled over by Rhinos 76-46. M.Rhinos held S.Panthers to an opponent 21.9 percent shooting from the field compared to 33.3 percent accuracy of the winners. M.Rhinos forced 28 S.Panthers turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when M.Rhinos made 9 blocks. 24 personal fouls committed by S.Panthers helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Swingman Kwazi Gumede (191-1997) fired 27 points for the winners. Thabo Mafetho chipped in 6 points, 24 rebounds and 5 blocks. Ntshuxeko Manyani produced 8 points and 11 rebounds and Matimu Mabaso added 8 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
M.Rhinos: K.Gumede 27+2reb+2ast, V.Sibeko 11+8reb+1ast, J.Tawengwa 11+9reb+4ast, I.Lembe 9+1reb+3ast, U.Mavuso 6+4reb+2ast, T.Mafetho 6+24reb+1ast
S.Panthers: M.Mabaso 8+5reb+3ast, N.Manyani 8+11reb, R.Elbur 7+4reb+2ast, P.Pataka 6+5reb+1ast, T.Kunene 5+6reb+2ast, A.Kalubi 4+9reb

M.Rhinos - MBB 58-55

Important game to mention about took place in Mbombela. Rhinos saved a 3-point victory at home edging MBB 58-55 on Sunday evening. M.Rhinos forced 22 MBB turnovers. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Vusi Sibeko (-1991) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds. Ian Lembe contributed with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. The former international power forward Reece Prinsloo (203-1991) answered with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 14 rebounds and the former international swingman Sakhile Sithole (198-1990, college: Skidmore) added 12 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for MBB. Four MBB players scored in double figures. Rhinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. MBB will play on the road against Cape Town T. to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
M.Rhinos: I.Lembe 14+5reb+7ast, V.Sibeko 13+12reb+3ast, U.Mavuso 10+3reb, T.Mafetho 8+8reb+2ast, K.Gumede 7+2reb+3ast, S.Zulu 4+7reb+1ast
MBB: T.Gumede 12+5reb, S.Sithole 12+9reb+1ast, N.Festile 11+4reb+4ast, R.Prinsloo 10+14reb+1ast, L.Mofokeng 6+7reb+5ast, C.Khumalo 4+3reb+1ast