By Dismas Nuwaine
The Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons have forced game seven of the National Basketball League (NBL) against the JKL Lady Dolphins. This follows yesterday’s enthralling ENCOUNTER at the MTN basketball arena between two female basketball titans with a title on the line.
“We are happy about the performance; it was really electric, but we can’t celebrate too much since we have the final series on Friday,” said Nicholas Natuhereza, the senior basketball coach at UCU.
Samuel David Lukaire, the sports administrator at UCU, also emphasized the electric second half performance the team put on.
“The first half didn’t go as planned, but we bounced back and put on a show worth watching in the second half,” assured Samuel.
Coming into the game, the JKL Lady Dolphins needed just a win to be crowned the undisputed champions of this year’s women’s NBL.
The JKL Lady Dolphins had won three sets of the seven series thrillers to be played out in the final, to the Canons’ two sets, and a win would have surely sealed the trophy since the Canons wouldn’t overturn the result.
The Lady Dolphins faced a determined and inspired Canon team that fought valiantly to win and drew the tie three on three, leaving only one game to be played in what was to be the final.
The Lady Dolphins took the lead right away, breaking the dreadlock seconds into the game and adding more baskets in quick succession.
The Canons appeared completely out of shape at first, as they were easily torn apart by the opposition and failed to capitalize on their chances, much to the chagrin of the fans.
The Lady Dolphins established a steady lead and were nine points ahead at the end of the first quarter on a score line of 19 to 10.
In the second quarter, JKL continued their siege and asserted their dominance as they dictated proceedings over a helpless looking Canon side that lacked a decision of purpose throughout the quarter.
The Lady Dolphins established a steady lead and were nine points ahead at the end of the first quarter on a score line of 19 to 10.
In the second quarter, JKL continued their siege and asserted their dominance as they dictated proceedings over a helpless looking Canon side that lacked a decision of purpose throughout the quarter.
The Canons looked to be a team treading the path of a comeback as they reduced the deficit to just one point on a score line of 37 to 38 with two minutes left on the clock.
The quarter ended as the Canons led the JKL Lady Dolphins by three points, 48 to 45, in what had been a stunning turn around.
The Canons held on in the fourth quarter for a sensational comeback victory that saw fans roar and applaud the victorious Canon side for the beautiful game of play.
The 57-69 final score means that the teams have each won three sets, making a total of six played sets, and will have won more sets this Friday, when one of them will emerge the champion.
“The momentum is ours. We have won two games in a row and now we need one more. It’s now ours now to either win or lose. We just have to replicate the performance in our last two sets,” said Lukare.
The Canons held on in the fourth quarter for a sensational comeback victory that saw fans roar and applaud the victorious Canon side for the beautiful game of play.
