Basketball in Africa

Warriors 88-81 Falcons (Warriors win series 4-2)
UCU Lady Canons 69-48 KCCA Leopards (series tied 3-3)
Kymbogo Warriors claimed the 2012 Airtel National Basketball League title following their 88-81 game 6 win over Blue Cube Falcons on Sunday night at Lugogo.
Ronnie Kasewu nailed game high 25 points, picked 6 rebounds and handed out 5 assists to lead Warriors their second national championship. Jude Ochen added 16 points and 8 rebounds and Norman Blick contributed 13 points as the university side ended a two year drought.
After losing the first quarter 15-21, Warriors responded with a 30 points second quarter powered by a balanced offensive play from Ivan Enabu (6 points, 5 steals), Ochen and Kasewu who scored 10 and 9 points respectively in the frame and taking Warriors into double digit lead in the process before Falcons chipped away to go into intermission trailing 38-45.
Falcons outscored Warriors 27-17 in the third quarter to take a slim 3 points lead in the final period. Center, Henry Malinga opened the scoring for Warriors in the final quarter from close range and Kasewu knocked down a 3-ball to take champions up 67-65 with 8:37. The teams nearly matched shot-for-shot and with 2:15, Edwin Katerega (10 points) hit an AND1 to tie the game at 78.
Warriors’ coach, Mandy Juruni called for a time-out and on return Norman hit a 3-pointer to take Warriors up 81-78 with 1:15 sending their fans into “no game 7” chants. Philip Ameny (18 points, 12 rebounds) responded with a pair of throws for Falcons but Brian Gumisiriza’s AND1 and a foul shot from Kasewu increased Warriors’ lead to 85-80 with 30 seconds. A throw and lay up from Sirus Kiviri (10 points) wrapped up the scoring.
Peter Elungat scored 14 points for Falcons, Geofrey Omondi and Steven Omony, who played three quarters with an injured thigh, contributed 13 points apiece and Julius Lutwama added 10.
Meanwhile, Peace Nakirijja’s 3-point play powered UCU Lady Canons to a 69-48 blow-out victory over KCCA Leopards to stretch the women’s finals to game 7. The guard, scored team high 12 points all from 3-point range and in the final quarter and picked 6 rebounds.
Peace Proscovia, Moreen Amoding and Lorraine Akiny contributed 11 points apiece to set up a decider. Flavia Oketcho and Martha Soigi paced leopards with 15 points each. Game 7 is Wednesday evening