UCU Canons 72–82 Namuwongo Blazers.
By Michael Ainomugisha
The Namuwongo Blazers proved too strong for the UCU Canons, sealing an 82–72 victory in a pulsating National Basketball League clash at the Lugogo Indoor Arena on Friday, May 2nd.
The win saw the Blazers close out the first round unbeaten, with an impressive 11 wins from 11 games—underlining their dominance this season.
Blazers’ point guard Flore Dushime got off to a confident start, sinking a floating jumper to hand his side a five-point edge at the end of the opening quarter.
The Canons battled hard in the second, with Ibanda Lwabaga and Dushime leading the charge, but the Blazers’ composure kept them ahead, maintaining a six-point cushion at halftime.
UCU’s momentum fizzled in the third quarter, where they managed just 10 points. The Blazers capitalised, stretching their lead to double digits before the final frame.
With two minutes left, Dushime levelled the score at 72–72 with a 3-pointer that sent UCU crowds into a frenzy, raising hopes for a Canons comeback. But the Blazers switched gears, finishing strong with a decisive 10–0 run that sealed the contest.
Moses Mugisha and Joel Lukoji paced the Blazers with 14 points each, while Tonny Drileba and Peter Obleng each added 11. Arthur Wanyoto and Jimmy Enabu also hit double figures with 10 points each, showcasing the team’s depth.
For the Canons, only Ibanda Lwabaga (18 points) and Dushime (14 points) managed to break into double digits, while Joel Kayiira registered 9 rebounds and 7 points in an effort that ultimately came up short.
The loss halts UCU’s winning run and hands them a reminder of the consistency required to contend for a better position in the first round of the regular season.
