The Ndejje Angels secured a much-needed victory after seeing off the UCU Canons in a game that was decided in crunch time.

From the tip-off, the Canons looked a little under the weather and the Ndejje Angels wasted no time with 9 unanswered points to start the game.

The Canons then got back into the game but by the end of the first quarter, the Angels had a 6-point lead.

Ndejje bulged the lead to 11 halfway through the quarter but the Canons kept fighting and by the end of the first half, it was a 1-point game.

The Canons were sent to the line 13 times during the second quarter but they only managed to make 6 free throws.

A switch flipped for the Canons and the situation became worse for them. They only managed to score 4 points in the first 8 minutes of the third quarter and Ndejje Angels utilized this to make it an 11-point game. The Canons however were still within striking distance (8 points) by the end of the quarter.

Ndejje looked comfortable until the crunch time when the Canons applied some pressure.

In a sequence of 9 seconds, UCU was able to catch Ndejje napping, securing offensive rebounds, getting steals, and drawing fouls, and all of a sudden, it was a 1-point game, Canons with the momentum.

UCU had s chance to take the lead for the first time in the game but Ibanda missed his second free throw with 2:55 left.

The game went on to be tied 3 times in the next 2 minutes but James Obrack untied it with 2 clutch baskets that won the game for the Ndejje Angels.

Talking points

The UCU Canons were very poor from the free throw line and that was the story for the entirety of the game. With 13/29, they recorded their worst free throw percentage (44%) this season.

The Canons also lacked sharpness. On multiple occasions, they had opportunities to finish at the rim but the ball wouldn’t drop. The had had many unnecessary turnovers that cost them heavily.

Ndejje Angels did a great job of spreading the offense. They had 5 players with 10+ points, and different players had big moments for example, James Obrack being trusted to make the baskets late in the game.

Match Stats

Ndejje Angels

James Obrack 15 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast , 2 stl

Cikom Monybai 11 pts, 6 reb, 1 stl

Haron Alinaitwe 13 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl

Jonathan Oketch 13 pts, 1 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl

Christian Ndibu 16 pts, 12 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk

UCU Canons

Peter Sifuma 27 pts, 21 reb, 1 ast, 3 stl

Kevin Kasobya 13 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl

Joel Kayiira 10 reb, 5 pts, 1 ast, 1 stl

Match Facts

Peter Sifuma became the first player (men) to register 20+ pts, and 20+ rebounds in a game this season after dropping 27 pts, 21 rebs.

He also set the record for most points scored in a game (men) this season with 27 pts.

Ndejje Angels was the first team to have 5 players with 4+ persnal fouls in a game.