Kenyan basketballer Tylor Ongwae experienced arguably what was one of the biggest nights in continental basketball in nearly three decades when they triumphed over Angola and it all went down to one man.
The Kenyans had Tylor Ongwae to thank as the towering player helped turn the game around for his side to send them to the Afrobasket for the first time in 28 years.
In a game which had very little surprises, the climax came at the very end thanks to a combination of Ongwae’s ambition and skill on the basketball.
In case you missed it:
This was the big moment Tylor Ongwae two-point jump shot that sent Kenya Morans to FIBA AfroBasket for the first time since 1993. 28 years wait is over.
Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/FpcEZoynzn
— Y254 (@Y254Channel) February 21, 2021
Angola held a slim lead of 73-72 with barely 10 seconds to go when the ball was delivered to the Morans captain who neatly beat an opponent to hammer home a last-grasp shot.
His attempt was as dramatic as the ending of the game as it hit the ring before gently caressing the net to give Kenya a 74-73 win.
To put the dramatic nature of the game in context, Angola concluded the first quarter with a 22-9 lead and concluded the second quarter leading 39-28.
Former ULM forward Tylor Ongwae scored 16 points and the game winner for Kenya in a 74-73 win over Angola in a FIBA AmeriCup qualifying game Saturday in Cameroon. Ongwae also collected 5 steals and 3 assists. @Durangoo12 @Teammorans pic.twitter.com/WQWzMOToJd
— ULM Men's Basketball (@ULM_MBB) February 20, 2021
It was Ongwae’s nine points which kept Kenyan well in the game in the first half.
Interestingly, 27-year old Ongwae wasn’t even born when Kenya last flagship continental tournament.