Urunani built a commanding first-half lead before overcoming COSPN 93–69 to launch their Road to Basketball Africa League campaign in Hoima on Wednesday.
Mahamane Coulibaly led five players in double figures with 21 points as the Burundian side’s early dominance proved decisive at Hoima City Arena.
COSPN improved considerably after the break, but their recovery came with the game already firmly in Urunani’s control.
The Madagascar side had trailed 56–21 at halftime, leaving them with a deficit that even a stronger second-half performance could not repair.
Urunani set the tone from the opening minutes, establishing a 15–3 advantage midway through the first quarter before extending it to 26–8.
Their attack gathered further momentum in the second period, with a 14-point unanswered run taking the score to 42–12.
By halftime, Urunani had scored 30 points in the quarter and restricted COSPN to 13, creating a comfortable platform for victory.
Coulibaly provided efficiency and composure, converting eight of his 12 field-goal attempts and all five free throws while contributing five assists.
Chingka Kennedy Garba added 18 points, nine rebounds and three steals, giving Urunani an influential presence at both ends of the court.
Jeffery Tyrone Stubbs combined 17 points with eight assists, helping organise an offence that repeatedly found opportunities before COSPN’s defence could settle.
That ability to attack quickly became a defining feature of the contest. Urunani finished with 26 fast-break points against COSPN’s 10.
They also scored 42 points in the paint and converted their opponents’ turnovers into another 18 points.
The advantage reached 40 points at 63–23 in the third quarter, underlining the scale of COSPN’s difficulties.
Yet the Madagascar side continued competing, gradually finding the scoring rhythm that had deserted them before halftime.
They won the third quarter 22–13 and edged the fourth 26–24, outscoring Urunani 48–37 across the second half.
Ikenna Kenechukwu Okeke led their scoring with 20 points, while Hasina Rasolonandrianina produced an outstanding individual effort off the bench.
Rasolonandrianina finished with 17 points and 20 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards, repeatedly creating additional possessions for his team.
Captain Livio Ratianarivo contributed 11 points, but COSPN’s shooting struggles limited the impact of their improved resistance.
They converted just 26 of 79 field-goal attempts, including seven of 33 from three-point range.
Urunani captain Romis Bujeje countered COSPN’s work on the boards with 16 rebounds, including 12 at the defensive end.
Bamba Diallo and Yves Nsengiyumva supplied 12 points apiece, with Nsengiyumva making four three-pointers to strengthen Urunani’s scoring options.
For coach Elvis Hakizimana, the opening victory offered encouragement through both the spread of contributions and his team’s devastating first-half execution.
The second-half dip nevertheless provides something to address as the competition for qualification develops.
Urunani are chasing one of two available places in the East Division Elite 16 from the five-team Hoima group.
The tournament also features Uganda’s Namuwongo Blazers and South Sudan’s Patriots, with the top two advancing to the next qualification stage.
Beyond Hoima lies the opportunity to reach the 2027 Basketball Africa League, with the top two teams at the East Division Elite 16 securing qualification.
COSPN must now regroup for Thursday’s meeting with hosts Namuwongo Blazers, who opened their campaign with a 109–45 victory over Ushindzi de Ouani.
For Urunani, maintaining their opening intensity across all four quarters will be the next challenge after an emphatic first step.