Tanzania’s JKT registered their first win in the Road to BAL (Basketball Africa League) East Division Group D qualifiers, defeating Seychelles champions Beau Vallon Heat 65-59.
Despite leading for more than 26 minutes, Beau Vallon Heat were unable to secure the win, leaving them winless in the tournament and exiting the competition.
The game began as a closely contested battle, with five lead changes early on. JKT were down by just one point at 14-13 with 1:33 remaining in the first quarter, but Beau Vallon Heat captain Timmy Adam responded with three consecutive three-pointers in the final 44 seconds, giving his side a commanding 23-15 lead.
Early in the second quarter, Khris Bouchereau and Damien Chang-Time teamed up with Adam to extend the lead to 31-16. However, JKT slowly clawed their way back, with Amin Mkosa and Jacob Linus Mganga narrowing the deficit to single digits at 31-22 by halftime, where Beau Vallon led 38-29.
Mkosa emerged from the locker room determined, sparking a seven-point run to bring JKT back into the game. Omary Ndula added a crucial basket to tie the game at 42 midway through the third quarter. Though Beau Vallon attempted to regain control, JKT remained relentless, and the quarter ended with the hosts trailing by just one point at 51-50.
In the final period, JKT delivered a decisive 15-8 run that sealed their victory. Mkosa’s aggressive second-half play provided the momentum JKT needed to complete their comeback and secure their first win of the qualifiers.
Fotius Ngaiza Felesian was the standout player for JKT, staying on the court for nearly 40 minutes and delivering a double-double with 15 points and 19 rebounds, including 13 on defense. His performance was pivotal in JKT’s turnaround, as they dominated the paint with a 32-10 advantage and added 12 fast-break points.
The loss marked the end of Beau Vallon Heat’s third attempt to qualify for the Basketball Africa League, as they finished the tournament with four defeats. Meanwhile, JKT’s victory keeps their hopes alive, though they will need a convincing win against Nairobi City Thunder in their next match to have a chance of advancing.
Reflecting on the game, JKT’s Mkosa said, “Beau Vallon Heat were good on the paint and beyond the arc, and we had to find a way to stop their strong start. Our second-half game plan worked, and we are happy to have picked this win. We still have a game to play, and we will push to end on a positive note.”
Beau Vallon Heat skipper Timmy Adam expressed his disappointment, noting, “At one point, we had a 15-point lead, but that is nothing in a game. We needed to be cautious in the second half, but we made too many mistakes and got punished for them. It’s not the championship we had hoped for, but valuable lessons have been learned. We hope to come back stronger for the next one.”
