UCU Lady Canons eye final berth as KCCA Leopards look to force decider

UCU Lady Canons will look to complete their National Basketball League semifinal series against KCCA Leopards when the two sides meet in Game Four at Lugogo Arena on Friday.

The Lady Canons lead the best-of-five series 2-1 after winning the opening two games before KCCA responded with a convincing 70-55 victory in Game Three.

A win for UCU would send them into the final, while another Leopards victory would level the series at 2-2 and force a decisive Game Five on Sunday.

The game, which was initially scheduled for Wednesday, was moved to Friday to give UCU's Sarah Namale, Zoe Atek, and Mariam Namukwaya time to recover after returning from the 3x3 competition in Tunisia on Monday.

UCU have been the better team across the first three games, winning two of the three meetings.

The Lady Canons won Game One 79-71 and followed it with a 63-56 victory in Game Two. However, they struggled offensively in Game Three, shooting just 23 percent from the field and making only five of 35 attempts from three-point range.

Matrina Anyango has been one of UCU's standout performers in the series. She produced a huge double-double of 28 points and 16 rebounds in Game Two before adding 14 points and 11 rebounds in Game Three.

Sylvia Nantongo has also been consistent, scoring 20 points in Game One, 11 in Game Two, and 14 in Game Three.

Namale scored eight points and collected eight rebounds in Game Three, while Atek contributed 11 points in Game One.

KCCA will take confidence from their Game Three performance, when they restricted UCU to just 55 points.

Ninette Uwineza and Sharua Nakirya have been reliable scoring options, with both players reaching double figures in Games Two and Three. Tracy Namugosa remains another major threat after scoring 23 points in Game One and 10 points in each of the last two games.

The Leopards will also need another strong contribution from Susan Rebecca Aanyu, who collected eight rebounds in Game Three.

KCCA's ability to maintain the defensive pressure that disrupted UCU in Game Three could be crucial. The Leopards will also need to improve their shooting if they are to extend the series.

Friday's women's semifinal will be followed by Game Four of the men's NBL Finals at 9pm, with City Oilers facing Namuwongo Blazers.

The Oilers lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 and will be looking to move within one victory of the championship.

On Sunday, UCU Canons face Rezlife Saints at 2pm in the men's third-place playoff.

Later, UCU Lady Canons and KCCA Leopards will meet again in Game Five if KCCA forces the deciding game on Friday.

The weekend will close at 6pm with Game Five of the men's NBL Finals between Namuwongo Blazers and City Oilers.

National Basketball League

Friday (Lugogo)

Women’s Semifinal, Game 4
Leopards v Lady Canons 7pm

Men’s Finals, Game 4
Oilers v Blazers 7pm

Sunday (Lugogo)

Men’s 3rd-Place
Canons v Saints 2pm

Women’s Semifinal, Game 5 (If needed)
Lady Canons v Leopards

Men’s Finals, Game 5
Blazers v City Oilers 6pm