Basketball in Africa

UCU Lady Canons’ unbeaten season run came to a stop Friday evening following a 60-70 loss to KCCA Leopards.
After an explosive performance Rangers last weekend, KCCA’s guard, Flavia Oketcho put up another big show against the three time defending champions hitting game high 22 points, picking 8 rebounds, handing out 4 assists and swiping 4 steals. “We took her lightly but by the time we
realized she was killing us, it was late” UCU’s coach, Boniface Okello on Oketcho.
KCCA were edged out 51-46 in the first round and were not going to let that happen again as they jumped on to a double figure lead early in the opening period taking it 21-8 off a strong start and maintained it through the second quarter going into halftime up by 11 points.
UCU spent the third quarter chipping away and came within 6 points, 2:56 after back-to-back shots from Verginia Awino and Purity Adhiambo (12 points, 11 rebounds) inside the key after Peace Proscovia (17 points, 11 rebounds) had solely KCCA’s 16 points lead to 10.
KCCA went to the final period leading by 7 and scored the first 6 points of the fourth quarter to restore their double digit lead and did not allow UCU anywhere closer than 9 points with great team defense that caught out Lady Canons on the shot clock on three occasions. Sarah Nassuna contributed 14 points for Leopards and Martha Soigi added 11 points and picked 9 rebounds.
Meanwhile UCU’s men’s side fell to Kyambogo Warriors 66-60. Henry Malinga led the way for Warriors with 13 points and Norman Blick added 12. Center, Michael Kariuki chipped in with 10 points and 12 rebounds while Sam Gombya’s 9 points went along with 13 boards.
Shooting guard, Suudi Ulanga led Canons with 12 points including two 3-pointers off 11 attempts. Boniface Okello and Brian Namake contributed 11 points apiece and Desmond Owili added 10 points.