Rockets 50–49 UCU
By Michael Ainomugisha
Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons suffered a narrow 50-49 defeat to Kampala Rockets in Game One of the National Basketball League quarter-finals at the Jaguars’ Den in Kira on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
In a tense, low-scoring contest, both teams traded baskets and defensive stops in equal measure. The Canons looked well placed heading into the closing moments but could not find the decisive basket as the Rockets edged ahead in the dying seconds to claim a one-point win.
The Rockets, who trailed 7-14 at the end of the first quarter, clawed their way back into the contest by taking the second quarter 19-11 to take a one-point lead at halftime.
The third and fourth quarters ended evenly at 11-11 and 13-13 respectively in a tense finish.
With under 30 seconds to play and trailing by a single point, Pauti Ozias Kikomba produced the game’s decisive moment with a clutch layup.
The Canons had two chances to snatch victory at the death, but Flore Dushime missed a three-pointer before Lwabaga Ibanda’s layup attempt also bounced out.
The result gives Kampala Rockets a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series, leaving the Canons with no margin for error in Game Two as they look to keep their play-off hopes alive.
