By Michael Ainomugisha
UCU Canons 79 – 52 Kampala Rockets
The UCU Canons roared back into the National Basketball League playoff series with a commanding 79-52 victory over Kampala Rockets in Game Two on Wednesday night at Lugogo Indoor Arena, forcing a decisive Game Three.
After their narrow one-point loss in Game One, the Canons responded with hunger and zeal, correcting their mistakes straight from tip-off. Joel Kayiira sparked an electric opening quarter with 10 points as UCU raced to a 28-16 lead.
The momentum carried into the second quarter, with the Mukono side pressing harder on both ends of the court. Their 17-9 run gave them a 45-25 cushion at halftime—already just four points shy of their total from Game One.
Despite foul trouble, UCU maintained their rhythm after the break. By the end of the third quarter, they had stretched their advantage to 63-36, with forwards Alier Pech and Kayiira powering the surge.
The Rockets offered little resistance in the closing stages, and the Canons sealed the night with a 16-16 final quarter to secure a 27-point victory. Kayiira finished with 16 points, while Alier added 10 points.
For the Rockets, Pauti Kikomba, who had been the hero in Game One, was limited to 12 points in the defeat.
The result ties the quarterfinal series at 1-1, setting up a decisive Game Three at the Jaguars’ Den in Kira, where only one side will progress to the semi-finals.
