The U-18 Girls National Team started the Zone V Qualifiers on a strong foot after defeating Rwanda 78:40 in a game where they exerted a lot of dominance.

Took the lead, 14:11 after the second quarter but they weren’t ready for what them in the second.

Uganda employed a lot of traps and the Rwandese couldn’t escape, making multiple turnovers in the process.

Uganda outscored Rwanda 31″13 in the second quarter and they took a 15-point lead into the halftime break.

The third quarter was even, but in the fourth, Rwanda was choked offensively.

They scored 0 points, whilst Uganda scored 22 and they went on to win with ease.

Talking points

Coach John Omondi was a genius in employing the trap. Rwanda’s ball handlers spent a lot of time on the ball and setting trap for them worked very well.

Rwanda had much taller player than Uganda and they’d easily pick rebounds, matter of fact they had 76, Uganda with 64.

Stopping Rwanda from getting off shots was one of the best strategies to use because even after missing, they had the advantage of height and would have easily gotten second chance points but the coach cut that off.

The experience and maturity of the Uganda girls was something to behold.  Christine Namyalo knew that she didn’t need to score 20+ for the team to win, so she became a facilitator.

For stretches, she pointed the ball and she finished with a game-high 6 assists and 6 steals.

Resty Nanangwe did a very good job of finishing off most of the opportunity availed to her. She scored 24 but did not attempt a 3-point shot.

Match Stats

Uganda

Resty Nanangwe 24 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast, 6 stl, 12/21, 57% FG.

Modesta Anyango 14 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 5 stl

Shiphrah Kiranda 8 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast, 4 stl

Mia Belinda Alaba 8 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 4 stk, 1 blk

Rwanda

Brigitte Nabishaka 20 pts, 22 reb, 1 stl

Rebecca Cyuzuzo 5 pts, 11 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl, 3 blk

Match Facts

Brigitte Nabishaka is the first player to record 20+ pts and 20+ rebounds in the tournament.

Rwanda had 2 times (51) more turnovers than Uganda (25).

Rwanda scored 0 points in the fourth quarter.

Uganda take on Kenya in the second game on Monday at 5:00 pm

Kenya won their opening game against Tanzania 57:47, who records their second win?