Basketball in Africa

KCCA Leopards 106-16 Nabisunsa
UCU Canons overcame a slow start to beat Proline Heaters 76-59 Wednesday night at YMCA. Syrus Kiviiri piled up game high 25 points to lead UCU. Big men, Desmond Owili and Ivan Lumanyika added 12 points each and combined for 17 boards and Sudi Ulanga chipped in with 10 points as canons rolled to their fifth successive win.
Canons (5-0) edged the opening period 13-11 but Proline responded with an 18-14 second quarter to close out the half up 29-27. The Heaters managed to keep the Canons as close as possible until late third quarter. Tied at 37 with over just over two minutes in the third, Canons forced three consecutive turnovers that they utilised to pull away and eventually closing out the frame up 51-39. Ulanga opened the final quarter for UCU from the top of the mountain but Heaters (1-4) chipped away to come within 9 points (61-52), 2:35 to the final horn but Kiviiri quickly restored UCU’s double digit lead with a pair of throws and Jonathan Egau (5 points) finished off heaters with a corner 3-ball, 1:52 to the last buzzer. “We picked up our intensity defensively and didn't allow as many un-contested shots” UCU’s coach Nicholas Natuhereza said of his team’s second half performance.
Tony Olila and Javan Odhiambo led the way for heaters with 14 points each and Adam Kakuru added 13 points and 4 assists. “We lack maturity and experience and i think it showed. Our team is just starting to gel and i think we will get better” Heaters’ coach, Brian Wathum said.
Meanwhile, school side Nabisunsa suffered another beat down as they lost to KCCA Leopards 106-16. Hilda naigaga led the way for KCCA with game high 20 points. Charline Karungi (14 points), Claire Lamunu (13 points), Jackie Basemera (12 points), Martha Soigi (11 points, 11 rebounds) and Flavia Oketcho (10 points) scored in double figures. Maimula Nabosa had 8 points and 8 rebounds for Nabisunsa.