The KIU Rangers dug deep and delivered a gritty performance to defeat the UCU Lady Canons 54-51 in game two of the Women’s National Basketball League (NBL) semifinals on Sunday at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
This win evens the series at 1-1, setting the stage for a thrilling game three on Tuesday.
The Rangers, led by captain Ines Kanyamuneza’s 17 points and three rebounds, displayed a complete team effort to overcome their rivals.
Kanyamuneza was a force on both ends of the court, shutting down the Lady Canons’ offense with her tenacious defense.
Smarting from a disappointing loss in game one, the Rangers came out with a renewed focus.
They effectively shut down the Lady Canons’ perimeter game and contained their dominant inside players. This defensive strategy proved highly successful, limiting UCU to just one successful three-pointer in the first half, despite them leading 27-20 at the break.
The tide turned in the second half as the Rangers clawed their way back. They outscored UCU 32-24 and displayed a marked improvement in rebounding, grabbing 50 rebounds compared to the Lady Canons’ 51.
This was a significant improvement from game one, where UCU dominated the boards with 59 rebounds to KIU’s 39.
The Rangers’ relentless defense was a key factor in their victory. They forced numerous turnovers, converting them into 18 crucial points. In contrast, the Lady Canons managed only four points from turnovers.
Sharon Kirabo emerged as another key contributor for the Rangers, registering a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
“We’re ecstatic about today’s win,” Kirabo said after the game. “I’m incredibly proud of my teammates for their fighting spirit. We knew we needed to improve on both ends of the court, and we did just that to secure the win.”
The absence of forward Mary Moses Amaniyo, who missed the game again, was barely noticeable as the Rangers displayed excellent teamwork to fill the void.
With the series tied 1-1, all eyes turn to game three scheduled for Tuesday. The winner will take a crucial lead in this closely contested best-of-five series.
