Mwinuka credits defensive switch in Tigers’ comeback against Sharks

RSSB Tigers coach Henry Mwinuka credited a change in defensive approach at halftime for his side’s dramatic 117-115 overtime victory over Shanghai Sharks at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Beijing on Wednesday. The Basketball Africa League champions found themselves 20 points down in the game before Mwinuka and his technical staff used the halftime break to change their approach. The adjustment sparked a remarkable comeback as the Tigers fought back to force overtime before completing the turnaround against the Sharks who were playing before their home crowd. “I’m very happy to win this match. It was very tough; at the halfway point, we were down by more than 20 points,” Mwinuka said after the game. “I told them we were going to change the way we were playing. Our intention was to play defence.” ALSO READ: RSSB Tigers edge Shanghai Sharks in overtime Mwinuka said the adjustment required his players to maintain their defensive intensity for the rest of the game rather than relying solely on their offence to close the gap. “We played defence for two quarters, three quarters, and the final quarter. That’s what we wanted,” he said. The coach also viewed the comeback as evidence of his players’ ability to adapt under pressure, saying the changes made at halftime could provide valuable lessons for their next game. “The adjustment we made today after the halfway point was very good,” Mwinuka said. “We’ll save that for the next game. It’s the same for defence. We’ll rotate players behind the screen.” Trust the work—Randall II Craig Randall II, who played a key role in the comeback with 30 points and five rebounds, attributed his performance to faith, hard work and the confidence shown in him by the coaching staff. “Believe in God, believe in hard work. My allies believe in me,” he said. ALSO READ: Jackson calls on Rwandan fans to back Tigers in Beijing The BAL MVP said Mwinuka continued to trust him despite the pressure of the game, assuring him that opportunities would come when the team needed him. “He told me I’d get shots when I needed them. The key is to play from time to time. I believe in God and I believe in my work, and that’s what happened,” Randall said. Randall also praised captain Antino Jackson Jr., particularly for his defensive contribution in overtime. “He wanted it,” Randall said of Jackson’s defensive battle. “Antino is a point guard in the NBA, everyone knows that. It’s always tough. That’s why he’s our captain, that’s why he believes in us.” Jackson scored the decisive two points from the free-throw line to put the Tigers ahead in the closing seconds of the overtime thriller. Randall said Jackson’s influence extended beyond his individual performance, highlighting the importance of his leadership during the decisive moments. “His defence in overtime was insane. We need his leadership on and off the court and we love him for that,” he said. ‘Rwanda has the best fans’ For Randall, the victory was also a tribute to the supporters who travelled or tuned in to back the Tigers beyond Rwanda. The fans made their presence felt throughout the game, encouraging the team as it recovered from a big deficit and completed the comeback. “The fans came. You heard them, you celebrated them. Rwanda has the best fans in the world,” Randall said. “We travel, and whether we win or are late, they’re always there, no matter what. We love them to death. We always appreciate them.” Tigers' chances of qualifying for the Intercontinental Cup semifinals will now depend on the outcome of Thursday's last Group A encounter between Rytas Vilnius and Shanghai Sharks. A win for Rytas would be enough for the Rwandan side to qualify.

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Mwinuka credits defensive switch in Tigers’ comeback against Sharks