24 April 2007

UGANDA : Warriors Fall to Ucu

By Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya

TENSION and more tension is what characterized the national basketball league encounter between Kyambogo Warriors and Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono Canons on Sunday evening at YMCA Wandegeya.

By halftime, UCU looked poised for an easy win (39-22) after Warriors' awkward second quarter 5-points show compared to the opponents' 21. A tightly contested first quarter had ended 18-17 for UCU, who were making their debut in Division 1.
With the partisan crowd seemingly conceding that the Mukono-based side had carried the day, Warriors, bronze medallists last year, produced a memorable comeback, pouring in 19-12 for third quarter to end 41-51. Stephen Okias (12 points, 3 blocks), Ronnie Kasewu (11pts) and Joshua Etalu (8pts, 2 blocks) then took on the UCU defence with might at the onset of fourth quarter to reduce the deficit to 56-59. This ushered in nail biting moments and zealous fans were on their toes.So inept the Warriors were, for failing to keep on the pressure in the last three minutes. Former Falcons guard Richard Atuhaire was at fault, losing the ball twice in the dying moments on top of committing an unsportsman-like foul on UCU's Robert Mugabe (13), who put the game beyond reach on the charity line.
Eric Nyamai had a game high 16 points for UCU, Ivan Enabu 12 and Geoffrey 11 as last year's Division 2 champions sent their signals for a likely play-offs berth.
Elsewhere Ali Mavita gathered 21 points for the 2005 champions A-1 Challenge to see off Nabisunsa 49-24 in the women's category. Falcons take on KIU tomorrow night at Lugogo.

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