Dar City edged Matero Magic 85–78 with composure, defence and star performances from Yak Deng, Putney, Zouzoua and Diabaté. A decisive second-quarter surge and 10 blocks proved pivotal as Dar City kept their Road to BAL campaign alive.
Last Updated on
November 18, 2025
Dar City walked into this one with confidence but quickly realized Matero Magic had come to challenge every possession. The opening quarter delivered a tense rhythm, both sides trading blows and testing matchups. Dar City edged ahead 21–20, but nothing in those first ten minutes suggested the gaps that would later define the night.
What followed was a contest that swung between control and chaos, with Dar City showing remarkable poise in the moments that mattered most, sealing an 85–78 win built on composure, efficiency and a defensive backbone that repeatedly rescued them.
The turning point came in the second quarter, when Matero’s grip loosened just long enough for Dar City to slip into a higher gear. What had been a delicate balance suddenly tilted in Dar City’s favor, and they punished every lapse with a composed 21–13 run to head into the break up 42–33.
It wasn’t that Matero lacked effort—they were creating opportunities, crashing the offensive glass, and pushing the ball inside—but Dar City tightened the screws defensively and began to find smoother offensive sequences through their veteran core.
Deng Angok Yak Deng was at the center of everything. In nearly forty minutes of action, he looked inexhaustible, delivering 23 points on 7-of-15 shooting. He was perfect from the line, going 7-for-7, but what elevated his performance was his presence on the boards.
He cleaned up 12 rebounds, 10 of them defensive, while adding four assists, setting a tone that his teammates followed. His command of the defensive end fit right into a collective statement: the Tanzanians finished with 10 blocks, a number that visibly rattled Matero’s forwards.
Solo Diabaté, still one of the sharpest floor generals on the continent, orchestrated brilliantly. In 37 minutes, he scored 13 points on an efficient 5-of-8 from the field, but his fingerprints were all over the ball movement.
He handed out eight assists, shifting the defence, manipulating tempo, and ensuring Dar City never drifted far from their offensive structure even when Matero mounted small surges.
Raphiael Putney, smooth as ever, added 16 points with timely accuracy. His 6-of-6 at the line and 44.4% overall shooting helped steady Dar City whenever Matero tried to claw back.
Nisre Zouzoua, playing the full 40 minutes, chipped in 18 points and continued to be a reliable perimeter threat. Between his 45.5% shooting from inside the arc and 100% at the stripe, he kept Dar City’s scoring engine humming.
Matero Magic, for their part, fought back with determination. They won three of the four quarters, 23–22 in the third and 22–21 in the fourth, showing more control after halftime. Yet each time they threatened, Dar City responded appropriately. Matero actually dominated several statistical categories: 17 points off turnovers, 16 second-chance points, a 46–40 edge in the paint, and 17–10 scoring from the bench. They even managed a brief 10-point lead at one stage. But their inability to sustain defensive pressure through the second quarter left them chasing an uphill climb, and the 18-point deficit they once faced marked the night’s actual imbalance.
Marc Seylan led Matero with 20 points on 50% shooting. His craft around the rim and confidence in mid-range spots kept his team afloat during dry spells. Corey Boyd worked tirelessly for his 14 points and 11 rebounds, though his 6-of-21 shooting spoke to how punishing Dar City’s rim protection was. Omar Kojo Thielemans added 12 points in under 30 minutes, finishing a highly efficient 6-of-9, and Elijah Mukelabai provided 11 more off the bench.
In the end, Dar City’s victory rested on poise. Their 84.2% free-throw shooting and 37.5% accuracy from deep separated them just enough from Matero’s physical, fast-paced challenge. The margins were tight across most categories, but Dar City played the defining moments with clarity and control. That was the difference in an otherwise evenly fought class, one that kept their Road to BAL campaign alive.
Photography Courtesy of FIBA/Road to BAL]
-1920x1080.jpg)
