By Ian Asabo
There was a good turnout at the MTN Lugogo Arena for Friday night basketball.
The UCU Canons further underlined their title credentials by edging out the Namuwongo Blazers 66-62 in a Friday night thriller at the MTN Lugogo Arena.
The Canons were able to extend their lead at the top of the table as they registered their ninth win of the season out of ten games played.
Peter Sifuma was instrumental in the win for the Canons as he registered a double-double (13 points and 14 rebounds) as he was able to control the influence of the Blazers down the stretch to secure the win.
In a back-and-forth game where both teams took ten-point leads in turns, brilliant defense was able to secure the win for the side from Mukono down the stretch as the sides were tied heading into the final minutes of the game.
Both teams struggled to get out of first gear in the first quarter as turnovers and missed shots were the norm of the quarter, with both teams turning the ball over 22 times during the course of the game.
This win was vital for the Canons as they were able to create daylight between themselves and the second-placed Betway Power basketball club.
It is no rest for the weary as the Canons head out to the YMCA court in Kampala to face Our Saviour in back-to-back games.
In the other game of the night, the UCU Lady Canons’ light comeback wasn’t enough on the day as they lost to the KCCA Leopards 47-52 to snap their five-match winning streak.
Injuries and absentees of significant players like Agatha Kamwada and Ruth Letaru did not help their cause in a bid to extend their winning streak.
The Ladies from Mukono struggled to get out of first gear as they trailed the council team 6-15 at the end of the first quarter.
Turnovers were the Achilles heel of the Lady Canons as they lost the ball so many times in the first half and failed to make defensive stops as they trailed 13-28 at the half.
Akon registered another monster double-double (12 points, 21 rebounds) to further underline her status as MVP at the end of the season despite being double-teamed and triple-teamed by her opponents.
The slow start proved costly for the Lady Canons, despite their outscoring the Leopards 29-11 in the fourth quarter, but positives can be drawn from the game.
The defeat leaves the Lady Canons in third place and they will look to get back to winning ways against A1 Challenge Basketball Club on Sunday at the MTN Lugogo Arena.
