15 June 2013

UGANDA : Immense defense overshadows UCU’s win

Immense defense overshadows UCU’s win


City Oilers 47-52 UCU Canons
KIU Rangers 55-34 Gladiators
UCU Canons used a strong defensive display in the second and third quarter to hand City Oilers their second loss of the season Friday night the MTN Arena. The Canons defensive effort in the two periods turned out to be little more than a highlight-reel sideshow to the university side’s sixth straight win of the season.
After a first quarter in which UCU Canons couldn’t stop anything City Oilers did, the university side recaptured their defensive and aggressive game. UCU’s defense was as close to perfection as it can ever get limiting the second top scoring team in the league to a single field goal in the second quarter and season low 3 points in the frame. “We lost the rhythm after the first quarter” Oilers guard, Jimmy Enabu (7 points) noted.  The strong defensive effort was coupled with a fair offense as Canons (6-0) rallied back from a 14 points deficit in the first quarter to a 27-25 lead at halftime powered by Syrus Kiviri who scored 8 of his co-game high 15 points in the period. UCU’s solid play continued through the third quarter. “The difference was defense. I told them to stay focused on our assignments especially on the defensive end and that it was just the first quarter and  we had to understand that there was still a lot of basketball to be played” UCU’s coach, Nicholas Natuhereza on the games turn around. Forward, James Okello (6 points, 6 rebounds) opened the third quarter with an and1 to take Oilers up 28-27 but only temporarily as big canon, Desmond Owili (6 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks) hit a fade away mid-range jumper near the baseline to ignite UCU’s control of a quarter they closed out leading by 10 points through Suudi Ulanga’s buzzer beater.
City Oilers trimmed UCU’s lead to 2 points (43-45) with 4:25 in fourth quarter, Canons missed their two shots on the next couple of possessions and with 3:35, Nziza Rurangira (9 points) nailed a go-ahead trey for Oilers followed by a freebie from Andrew Opio (3points, 10 rebounds). UCU’s forward, Martin Okwako (9 points) tied the game at 47 after 25 seconds. A throw from Ivan Lumanyika and another close basket from Okwako took Canons up 50-47. With 53 seconds an offensive foul was called on Syrus Kiviri and Canons were clearly miffed by the call but Ronnie Kalule missed both throws after which UCU’s coach, Nicholas Natuhereza called for a time out and on return Oiler, James Okello was sent to line and also missed both throws. UCU got possession and Suudi Ulanga (7 points) drew a foul from Enabu and sunk both resultant shots to seal the game for UCU with 5 seconds to the final buzzer.
City Oilers had the worst game of the season so far - going 18-for-43 inside the arc, 3-for-18 from down town and 12-for-36 on the line. The Oilers dominated the glass out rebounding Canons 60-48 “I think there are games that just don’t come your way. Lose momentum, miss shots – free throws” Enabu said. Kami Kabangu led all Oilers scorers with 15 points and 12 rebounds. After going 5-for-6 in the first quarter, the center struggled to get his shot off against the physical defense of Desmond Owili, Ivan Lumanyika and Martin Okwako going 2-for-13 in the last three quarters. Oilers play Warriors next on Wednesday night. “We have to go back to the drawing board and be better in the next game. We have to be better against Warriors” Enabu vowed.
KIU Rangers meanwhile got their second win against Gladiators to improve to 4-2. Rangers met little resistance from Gladiators (2-5) who only competed in the first quarter and let KIU take charge from the second quarter as they missed their shots.  Judith Nansobya and Florence Nanyonga scored 10 points apiece to lead the way for Rangers, Moreen Atulinda added 8 points. Joan Muchiruku paced Gladiators with 10 points, Conneria Atuhaire had 9 rebounds.

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