Dolphins completed yet another comeback victory, beating Bravehearts 78-74 after erasing a 10-point halftime deficit. Dallan Coleman scored 20 points while Makur Jongkuch added 17 in the Division East Group E thriller.
Last Updated on
October 31, 2026
Dolphins improved their winning form to two games, edging Bravehearts 78-74 in their second straight comeback game. The Botswana-based side recovered from a halftime 32-42 deficit, surging to take the game over in the third quarter. Dallan Coleman led the comeback with 20 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal for the Dolphins, while South Sudanese center Makur Jongkuch added 17 points, six rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block.
The Dolphins opened the game with a bright 6-0 spark after Adrian Breitlauch and Jongkuch connected on consecutive three-pointers. However, the Bravehearts responded with six unanswered points (6-6) before both teams traded baskets to tie again at 16-16.
With 37 seconds left on the clock, Tatenda Mutepuka, Taonga Ngoma and Clayton Chikwengo combined for a 6-0 closing scoring brace. That late run carried Bravehearts into the second quarter leading 22-16, after absorbing the Dolphins’ early offensive punch. The Bravehearts then expanded their advantage with a 10-4 run, pushing the score to 32-20 and threatening to put the game out of contention for the Botswana-based side.
Bravehearts stretched their lead to 16 points with 04:56 remaining, leaving the Dolphins searching for some answer to get them back into the game. But then the Phins responded with an 8-4 run, cutting the deficit to ten points at 42-32 before halftime.
Bravehearts managed only 11 third-quarter points after scoring more than 20 in each of the previous two periods. The Dolphins erupted for 26 points, erased the deficit, and took a five-point lead into the fourth quarter. Their revival began with a 15-2 run, swinging the score to 47-44 and putting the Phins in front.
Jongkuch stretched the Bravehearts’ defence from midrange and beyond the arc, while Dolphins found six baskets inside the paint. After Jongkuch and the Bravehearts' sniper Taonga Ngoma traded 3-pointers, the Phins closed out the quarter on an 8-4 run to put themselves in the driver's seat with a 58-53 lead.
Although the fourth quarter was a back-and-forth slugfest, the Dolphins established a 71-60 lead. However, the Bravehearts closed the gap to just two points (76-74) after a 10-2 run, forcing the Phins into a much-needed timeout. With 16 seconds left, Coleman drew a foul and converted one free throw, extending the Dolphins’ lead to 77-74.
Bravehearts called a timeout, after which Ngoma’s misjudged pass with 11 seconds left surrendered possession in the dying moments of the period. Kesaobaka Ndawanyana stole the ball, drew a foul from Ian Limbe, and converted one of his two free throws to extend the lead.
In the tense final seconds, Chikwengo missed a late attempt to close the gap and apply pressure on the Botswana club, allowing the Dolphins to secure a hard-earned 78-74 victory.
