By Edwin Kule
NBL Results | Wednesday, May 29
KCCA Panthers 72-70 UCU Canons
The KCCA Panthers secured a hard-fought 72-70 victory against the UCU Canons in the National Basketball League at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Wednesday.
In the first round, the Panthers won the game 69-65 in yet another close-contested game. The Canons suffered their eighth loss of the campaign in 18 games played.
The Canons on the day turned up without their head coach, Nicholas Natuhereza, who was away on an official trip to Soroti, but his absence greatly affected the team.
The Mukono-based side lacked character and attention throughout the game, giving the ball away easily but also not putting up any contest whenever it was required.
The Canons kicked off the day with the required rhythm, leading the first quarter with seven points (18-25).
Later on, the Panthers greatly improved in the second quarter, fighting for every rebound, though they went into the break trailing by eight (43-35).
Coming from the locker rooms, the Panthers kept improving their craft, thus reducing their deficit to four points (58–54) at the end of the third period.
It was a nail-biting show in the final quarter as the Panthers claimed the bragging rights of the day.
With 1:40 left on the clock, the game was tied at 70-70 before Emmanuel Okumu converted one of the free throws to give the Panthers a one-point lead.
Zachariah Ekirapa committed a personal foul, sending Ceasar Kizito on the line, who converted only one of the two free throws.
The Canons launched the last attack of the game, but Nobert Okidi’s jump shot failed to hit the target, hence handing the Panthers the victory.
Ceaser Kizito led the Panthers’ scoring chart with 18 points. Stephen Otoa, Emmanuel Okumu, and Emmanuel Ateng also scored double digits, dropping 17, 13, and 11 points, respectively.
On the other hand, the Canons had four players score double digits: Nobert Okidi (16), Joel Kayiira (13), Jonathan Kasilimbi (11) and Zachariah Ekirapa.
