The UCU Canons added more insult to Namuwongo Blazers injuries after a 65:53 victory, handing the Blazers back-to-back defeats.

From the onset, it looked like it would be a very long night for the Blazers as they scored their first points more than 3 minutes into the game.

The Canons took a 7-point lead after the first quarter but they upped the temperature even more in the second and the Blazers couldn’t keep up, as a result, they took a 15-point lead into the halftime.

The Blazers had 22 attempts in the second quarter but only managed to score 5. The shot selection was lacking and even the supposed ‘easy lay-ups’ couldn’t be converted.

There was a lack of sharpness from both teams in the third quarter as both teams scored a combined 7 Field Goals.

In the final 3 minutes of the quarter, there were more turnovers (5) than points (4). There were also 0 Field Goals made in that period, meaning all the points came from the free-throw line.

Drama unfolded in the fourth quarter as the Blazers made a 10-2 run to make it a 4-point game with 4:11 left.

The Canons snapped the Blazers’ momentum closing the game with an 8-0 run.

Talking points

The Blazers need more options in scoring. During their loss to Power, Peter Cheng was the only active force offensively but against UCU, even he, disappeared. They had no player in double digits points, for the first time this season.

Offensively, the Blazers were completely at sea and clearly, it must have been winter for them because there seemed to be no fire (blaze) from them.

It’s fair to say that Chuol Nyuot was the most impactful despite playing just 6 minutes. He scored 6 points and got 4 steals, and while he was on the floor, he led that Namuwongo resurgence in the fourth quarter. Had he played more, perhaps it would have been a different story.

The Canons played with more heart, desire, hunger and passion.  Against a wounded Nam Blazers side, they had one job, to secure the win and they did themselves justice.

Jimmy Otim showing that he can attack and beat any defense on any day while Peter Sifuma had his second best game of the season.

The Blazers finishing round 1 with back-to-back losses might change the paradigm during the mid-season transfer window. The Blazers could go into the market early and hire services of top players on the African Continent.

During the 2023 season, they hired a walking bucket, Jimmy D Williams, could he be set for a return. Who will the Blazers bring because by the look of things, they are in need of scorers.

The UCU Canons take on City Oilers on Monday 1st. Can the momentum from this victory propel them to success against the 9-tome champions?

Match Stats

UCU Canons

Jimmy Otim 17 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast,  l2 stl

Peter Sifuma 13 pts, 15 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl

Jerry Samson Kayanga 10 pts, 5 reb

Namuwongo Blazers

Joseph Chuma 6 pts, 15 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl, 1 blk

Micheal Makiadi 8 pts, 7 reb, 1 ast

Chuol Nyuot 7 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast, 4 stl

Match Facts

The Nam Blazers have now lost back-to-back games, making it their third loss of the season.

For the first time this season, the Blazers don’t have any player with 10+ points in a game.

Nam Blazers have failed to score 20+ points in any quarter in back-to-back games.