Basketball in Africa

UCU Canons snapped a two-game losing streak by downing City Oilers 79-59 Friday night at the MTN Arena.

Sudi Ulanga poured in season high 29 points to help Canons blow out Oilers. The guard had a hot shooting night draining five 3-pointers and going 3-of-4 inside the arc and 8-of-8 from the line.

After a slow start by both teams Canons (10-2) got into the game first to take the lead and pushed it to double figures. Ulanga dominated the perimeter through the first half scoring 24 points as the university side pulled further ahead and took control of the game and didn’t allow City Oilers to come closer than 15 points.

"The strategy was to control the game from the beginning to the end,especially defensively" UCU's coach Nicholas Natuhereza said

Enabu struggled to get his shot off and couldn’t shoot out of the funk going 4-for-15 from the field for 10 points. Much as Kami Kabange didn’t have the best of shooting nights, the center scored team high 17 points and picked 9 rebounds.

“They had the momentum from the start, took a big lead and managed to maintain it” City Oilers guard, Jimmy Enabu said

Forward, James Okello had 14 points and 9 rebounds for Oilers (8-4) and Andrew Opio had 11 points and 9 boards.

“The body language was bad. The best players on the team were not playing well and it’s difficult to win a ball game when your best players are struggling” Oilers’ coach Mandy Juruni

Center, Ivan Lumanyika and Brian Namake fouled out late in the fourth quarter but had made massive contribution on both ends and did not affect Canons in any way. Lumanyika scored 14 points and grabbed game high 10 rebounds.

Canons and Oilers return to the floor on Sunday to face Eagles and Vegetarians respectively.

Meanwhile, UCU Lady Canons got off a sluggish start to beat Magic Stormers 70-37. Four playerss scored in double figures as Lady Canons stayed unbeaten. Center, Peace Proscovia returned with a 13 points and 11 rebounds performance. Purity Adhiambo scored 12 points and picked 15 rebounds, Moreen Amoding added 12 points and Francis Nabulobi contributed 10 points.

Guard, Sylvia Twesigye scored 10 points to lead Stormers (6-5) and Sarah Nakitende added 9 points. Stormers’ star player Caol Nyafwono finished scoreless for the first time this season but picked 8 rebounds.