Basketball in Africa

SOUND BALL SKILLS: KIU’s Lillian Agassi in action against Crane High in a league match at Wandegeya. Photo by E.Chicco.

As the battle for League’s play-off places heats up

By Lambert Rusoke
Kampala

Saturday results
KIU Men 60-69 Warriors
Bucks 48-32 MUK Sparks
Leopards 61-29 Lakers
Sunday results
Riders 56-55 Rhino
MBC 73-63 Najja
KCC Lions74-51 Jammers
Women
KIU 56-37 Crane High
Lakers 23-60 Mak Sparks

Bottom club Knight Riders registered their first win of the season with a hard earned 56-55 victory over fellow strugglers and 1997 champions Charging Rhino.

With the first round of the season climaxing, the win will be a big boost for Rider's charges as they bid to avoid relegation. They however need to keep a winning habit during the second round if they are to avoid the drop.

Rhinos, fresh from their 57-50 victory over Kampala International University (KIU) in their last outing, drew first blood and won the first quarter 15-8.
However, Riders bounced back as Rogers Odiama (12), John Musoke (11) and Jimmy Enabu(10) combined to orchestrate a 22-3 and 15-10 dominance in the second and fourth quarters respectively.

Man of the match Sande Okot (24) tried to pull back Rhinos in the game, but Riders hang on for a onee point win. Micheal Olweny contributed to Rhinos cause as well, scoring 14 points. In the games played on Saturday, KIU succumbed to its fifth consecutive loss, going down 60-69 to Kyambogo Warriors.

Brian Gumisiriza (18) and Jude Ochen (13) were in excellent form for Warriors, while KIU had team captain Isaac Afidra scoring 18 with Moses Ochan on 17 in a losing effort.
The aforementioned result leaves the battle for play-off places open with inconsistent defending champions Nkumba Marines handed a glimmer of hope.

In the women's games, the Makerere Sparks registered contrasting results, succumbing to Lady Bucks 32-48 before beating Victoria Lakers 60-23.. Lakers were further undone when they went down again to Kampala City Council (KCC) Leopards 61-29.

Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons are setting the pace in the men’s category after completing their first round games unbeaten. They stopped Miracle 79-70 on Friday.