UCU Lady Canons secured their place in the National Basketball League (NBL) finals after a dominant 58-43 victory over the KIU Rangers on Thursday August 22, at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
The win gave the Lady Canons a 3-1 series victory in the best-of-five semifinals, marking their return to the championship stage after missing out in 2023.
Coming into Game 4, the Lady Canons led the series 2-1 and were determined to seal their spot in the finals.
KIU Rangers, on the other hand, had shown strong defensive performances in the previous two games, hoped to force a decisive Game 5.
However, the Lady Canons quickly asserted their dominance, starting strong and never looking back.
The opening quarter was tightly contested, with UCU edging ahead to a 17-14 lead. The Rangers’ defense, which had been a key factor in their earlier win, began to falter in the second quarter.
They managed only five points in the period, allowing the Lady Canons to extend their lead to nine points (28-19) by halftime.
After the break, UCU maintained their momentum, outscoring the Rangers 14-8 in the third quarter to build a commanding 15-point lead (42-27).
The final quarter saw both teams trade baskets evenly, but the damage had already been done. The Lady Canons’ consistent play throughout the game ensured they walked away with a well-earned victory.
Tracy Namugosa led UCU’s scoring with 11 points, and was the only player on her team to reach double digits in scoring.
Hajara Najjuko and Aziidah Nabayunga each contributed nine points, providing crucial support in what was a balanced offensive effort.
On the Rangers’ side, Fildauce Namulema managed 12 points, while Ines Kanyamunza added nine points and nine rebounds.
Despite their efforts, the Rangers were out-rebounded 55-47, which further hindered their chances of mounting a comeback.
With this victory, the Lady Canons now advance to the NBL finals, where they will face the winner of the ongoing series between the JKL Lady Dolphins and JT Lady Jaguars.
The Dolphins currently hold a 2-1 lead in that series.
