Namuwongo Blazers produced a commanding second-half performance to beat Madagascar’s COSPN 99–56 and strengthen their Road to BAL campaign in Hoima.
Thursday’s victory at Hoima City Arena followed their opening 109–45 win over Ushindzi, giving the Ugandan champions two wins from two matches.
Franck Nyembo led the charge with 23 points and eight rebounds, converting nine of his 13 field-goal attempts without committing a turnover.
Makhtar Gueye added 15 points, while Peter Obleng contributed 11 points and nine rebounds as Blazers eventually overwhelmed their opponents.
However, the final margin concealed a competitive opening half, with COSPN trailing by just one point after the first quarter.
Blazers led 20–19 at that stage and, despite creating some separation in the second quarter, reached halftime only eight points ahead at 43–35.
The decisive improvement came after the break, when Blazers restricted COSPN to eight third-quarter points while scoring 28 themselves.
That dominant spell stretched the advantage to 71–43, allowing the hosts to approach the final quarter with control of the contest.
Another 28-point quarter completed the victory, with Blazers outscoring COSPN 56–21 across the second half.
Their dominance extended beyond the scoreboard, particularly through rebounding and the movement of the ball.
Blazers collected 55 rebounds against COSPN’s 33, including 25 offensive boards that helped produce 27 second-chance points.
They also registered 34 assists on 35 successful field goals, with Jimmy Enabu providing eight assists despite finishing without a point.
Johnathan Jordan added six assists, while Richaud Pack supplied five alongside nine points.
Peter Olisemeka contributed nine points, eight rebounds and three assists, giving Blazers another productive presence around the basket.
Defensively, the hosts forced 22 turnovers and converted them into 29 points, while scoring 48 points in the paint.
There were still areas requiring attention before their remaining assignments, particularly at the free-throw line.
Blazers converted just 19 of 33 attempts, leaving 14 points unclaimed despite their comfortable winning margin.
Ikenna Kenechukwu Okeke led COSPN with 20 points, while Hasina Rasolonandrianina collected 10 rebounds.
The result sets up an important final weekend for Blazers, with South Sudan’s Patriots next on Saturday before Burundi’s Urunani on Sunday.
Urunani also maintained their unbeaten start on Thursday, edging Patriots 84–79 in a contest that featured 19 lead changes and 12 ties.
The teams entered the final quarter level at 63–63 before Urunani outscored Patriots 21–16 to secure their second victory.
Bamba Diallo scored 24 points for the Burundian side, while Jeffery Stubbs and Mahamane Coulibaly contributed 21 apiece.
Michael Dixon led Patriots with 17 points, Jackson Makoi added 16, and experienced centre Ater Majok finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Those performances offer Blazers a measure of the opposition awaiting them as the battle for the group’s two qualification places intensifies.
Only the top two teams advance to the East Division Elite 16, with further qualification required to reach the 2027 Basketball Africa League.
Blazers have established a strong platform, but their remaining matches will determine whether that promising start delivers a place in the next round.