By Michael Ainomugisha
UCU Canons 82-552 KCCA
In a commanding display at Lugogo, the UCU Canons secured their place in the FUBA National Basketball League semifinals with an emphatic 82-52 victory over the KCCA Panthers. The quarterfinal clash saw the Canons bounce back after a tough second game to dominate their opponents and win the best-of-three series 2-1.
The Canons set the tone early, storming to a 20-point lead in the first quarter with a 27-7 scoreline, leaving the Panthers scrambling. By halftime, UCU had extended their lead to 37-22, showcasing their superior defense and offensive precision.
The second half was more of the same, with the Canons outscoring the Panthers and finishing the game with a 30-point margin. Star player Otim Jimmy led the charge with 19 points, while Sifuma Peters and Kayiira Joel contributed 17 and 14 points, respectively.
After the game, Canons’ head coach Nicholas Natuhereza praised his team’s performance but cautioned them to stay focused.
“We played aggressively to get this win, and it paid off. But as we celebrate now, we must remember that Friday’s game could be a different story. Tomorrow is a new day, so prepare yourself for what’s ahead,” Natuhereza said.
The Canons now face a formidable challenge in the semifinals as they go up against the defending champions, the City Oilers, in a matchup that promises to be a thrilling contest for a spot in the finals starting with this Friday.
