Okurut lifts UCU Canons as Lady Jaguars, KCCA Leopards triumph
The game was decided in the final moments when Marvin Okurut scored a last-minute three-pointer to win it for the Canons, sending their bench and fans into wild celebrations.
Okurut lifts UCU Canons as Lady Jaguars, KCCA Leopards triumph
By Chrispus Baluku
Journalists @New Vision
National Basketball League
Sunday 15th Results
Women
Lady Jaguars 70 Miracle Eaglets 55
KCCA Leopards 63 Lady Canons 60
KIU Rangers 59 Nabisunsa 47
Men
UCU Canons 63 Victoria Crocs 62
KCCA Panthers 62 JKL Dolphins 54
UCU Canons secured a dramatic 63-62 win over Victoria University Crocs in the National Basketball League game played on Sunday, June 16, at YMCA Court in Wandegeya.
The game was decided in the final moments when Marvin Okurut scored a last-minute three-pointer to win it for the Canons, sending their bench and fans into wild celebrations.
The victory gives UCU Canons their ninth win of the season from 14 games played, boosting their chances of finishing strong in the regular season.
Victoria Crocs had looked solid for most of the game, led by Chuol Nyuot, who dropped 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Joshua Maiba also contributed 11 points and 7 rebounds for the Crocs, who fell just short in the final seconds.
UCU’s Jimmy Otim was the top scorer for the Canons with 16 points, while Lwabaga Ibanda added 9 crucial points to keep his team in the fight.
In another men’s game, KCCA Panthers defeated JKL Dolphins 62-54. Davis Assimwe was the standout for the Panthers, finishing with a game-high 13 points.
In the women’s category, JT Lady Jaguars bounced back in style by beating Miracle Eaglets 70-55. The Lady Jaguars were coming off a heavy 73-46 loss to KCCA Leopards on Friday — their worst defeat of the season.
The Jaguars started strongly, winning the first quarter 22-13, but Miracle Eaglets responded to take a 31-29 lead into halftime. However, the Lady Jaguars returned from the break with purpose, dominating the third quarter with 28 points to lead 57-39.
Mercy Batamuliza was the star of the show, scoring 11 points and grabbing an outstanding 25 rebounds to lead her team back to winning ways.
In another women’s clash, KCCA Leopards edged UCU Lady Canons 63-60 in a closely fought contest. The teams were tied 31-31 at halftime, but Millicent Otieno sealed the win for KCCA with a clutch three-pointer just two seconds before the final whistle.
Earlier in the day, KIU Rangers defeated Nabisunsa Girls 59-47 in the first women’s game.