It was one of the most highly anticipated games as the Hosts Rwanda took on neighbors Uganda in the East African Derby

The Uganda Gazelles started the game strongly gaining an 11 point difference to close the first quarter.

The tides however changed in the second quarter when Rwanda upped their game closing the quarter with a 13:3 run and making it a 1 point game.

In the second quarter, Uganda Gazelles star Jane Asinde was forced off with injury and this was one of the turning points in the game.

The Gazelles also scored just 6 points in the quarter. Additionally, they registered 9 turnovers which gave the Rwandese extra possessions and thus putting them back in the game.

The worst was yet to come for the Gazelles as the Rwandese came back looking a different side in the third quarter.

Rwanda scored 3 quick 3 point shots to start the quarter and went ahead to score 18 unanswered points. The Gazelles scored just 2 points in the first 5:34 of the third quarter. Janon Otto scored 8 points for the Gazelles to make it a 13 points game at the end of the 3rd quarter.

All seemed to be done as Rwanda just kept extending their lead and with 6:29 left, they had a 20 point lead.

There was a glimmer of hope for the Gazelles in the fourth quarter after an unsportsmanlike was called on Rwanda’s Hope Butera with 05:03 left.

Janon Otto made the 2 free throws, then Mellisa Akullu scored on the possession and was also sent to the line making it a 5 point play. This made it a 12 point game and the momentum shifted to Uganda.

The Gazelles tried to comeback but due to the foul situation, they kept sending Rwanda to the line and thus couldn’t catch up.

Match facts

Janon Otto got her first double double as she led both scoring and rebounds with 32 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.

Mellisa Akullu also registered a double double with 16 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block and a 55% FG.

Lydia Babirye, Hope Akello and Flavia Oketcho combined for 0 points and 13 turnovers despite playing a total of 68:27 minutes total.

Janai Crooms Roberson was phenomenal for Rwanda with 15 points, 7 rebounds, 7 steals and 2 blocks.

Ineza Sifa punished Uganda from deep scoring 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists including 5 3-point shots made.

Destiney Promise also contributed greatly for Rwanda offensively with 16 points and 2 rebounds.

Assuuma Uwizeye was dominant off the glass with a game high 13 rebounds, 3 steals, 8 points and a game high 57 % FG.

Both teams struggled from the field average below 30% FG. Rwanda however shot better from beyond the arc burying 7 buckets while Uganda dropped just 1 of the attempted 19.

The turnovers conundrum continued for the Gazelles as they registered 26 and 22 personal fouls compared to 16 turnovers and 16 fouls for Rwanda.

Rwanda also registered more steals (15) compared to 8 for Uganda.

Key takeaways

The foul trouble and turnover disaster finally caught up with the Gazelles. Rwanda got 18 points from turnovers, 17 fast break points (mainly after the steals). They also sent the Rwandese 30 times to the free throw line.

The mental game, the Gazelles lost it in the second quarter more so after the Asinde sustained the injury. The Rwandese used this to their advantage and scored 18 unanswered points in the third and by the time the Gazelles got back into the game, it was a little too late.

Limited players in the rotations, as has been the case in the first 3 games, the coach has chosen to utilize a few players. Maria Najjuma, Ritah Imanishimwe and Evelyn Nakiyinji did not get any minutes in the game.

Despite Lydia Babirye( 0 points, 8 turnovers, 30 minutes and 0/ 9 FG) and Flavia Oketcho (23:39 minutes, 0 points, 2 turnovers and 4 personal fouls), you felt like there needed to be a change in personnel to bring on another Guard in Evelyn to point and Ritah to get some shooting, but they were not given a chance.

Janon Otto is proving to be the only person going off offensively on a consistent basis, the rest are up and down.

The ability to defend the 3 point line is also lacking, Senegal punished Uganda from deep scoring 15 3PM, and also Rwanda utilized their chances more so in the 3rd quarter dropping 6 3 point shots. Congo shot poorly overall and Uganda contained them on that occasion.

In the 13:41 minutes that Asinde played, she registered 6 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. However in her absence, no one stepped up except the usual 2, Otto and Mellisa and this meant that there was a huge gap both offensively and defensively for the Gazelles.

It was even once since some players regressed, Lydia Babirye, Hope Akello, Hope Akello all combining for 0 points.

The girls will however be proud of themselves for the good performance they put up and spirited fight they should in the final quarter.

The Gazelles will now play Mozambique in the classification game tomorrow

All photos 📸 Fuba/ Kamau Toni