By Michael Ainomugisha
UCU 57–52 KIU
The UCU Lady Canons are through to the National Basketball League semi-finals after completing a 2-0 sweep over KIU Rangers with a hard-fought 57-52 victory on Sunday 7th September evening at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
Unlike Game One, where UCU controlled from the start, this was a comeback tale. KIU stormed out of the blocks, taking the first quarter 21-9 as the Lady Canons looked out of sync.
Both teams went cold in the second quarter, managing just 16 points combined, but KIU held onto a double-digit cushion at the break.
The turning point came in the third quarter. Sylvia Nakituka rediscovered her range from deep, Martina Anyango muscled Sharon Kirabo both in the paint and on drives, while Zoe Atek and Shillah Lamunu thrived in transition.
Lamunu’s lay-up levelled the game at 35 with just over a minute to play, before Anyango closed the quarter by putting UCU ahead 37-35.
The Rangers regrouped in the final period, running quick transitions through Djeneba Ballo to build a six-point lead (45-39), forcing Coach Nicholas Natuhereza to call time.
UCU returned sharper, with triples from Nakituka and Mariam Asacha turning the tide. Lamunu then drove to the basket to put UCU back in front, and the Lady Canons never looked back as KIU fell into foul trouble.
Lamunu finished with a team-high 12 points and 16 rebounds, though she struggled at the line, converting just six of 15 free throws. Nakituka added 11 points, Anyango chipped in 10, and Atek scored 9.
For the Rangers, Elizabeth Akol and Sharon Kirabo led the fight with 15 points each, but it wasn’t enough to deny UCU a place in the semi-finals.
