UCU Lady Canons destroy KIU Rangers in Game One: NBL Playoffs

The UCU Lady Canons dominated the KIU Rangers in a 73-44 victory, excelling in 3-point shooting and rebounding. Key players like Shakirah Nanvubya and Aziida Nabayunga stood out. #talkinghoops #NBL24

Avitus Ngabirano

August 17, 2024

2–3 minutes

KIU Rangers, National Basketball League, UCU Lady Canons

What was expected to be a very competitive game turned out to be a massacre as the UCU Lady Canons defeated the KIU Rangers 73-44 in a big massacre.

The KIU Rangers knew that the game had gone out of their hands and they surrendered with more than a minute left on the clock.

The Lady canons started the game well as they scored 5 3-point shots in the opening stanza taking a 9-point lead.

The second quarter was more even and Ines Kanyamuneza kept the Rangers in the game, scoring 7 of their 13 points while Fildauce scored the other 4.

By halftime, the UCU Lady Canons led the game 40:28 and their confidence was so much more compared to their opponents.

The second half was a complete blow out. The KIU Rangers scored a total 16 points while the Lady Canons scored 33 and won the game by 29 points.

Talking Points

3-point Shooting

This was always going to be a shooting game and the UCU lady canons won this battle by a mile. They scored 14 3-point shots while the Rangers scored just 6 of 38 attempts. Aziida Nabayunga showed off her marksmanship as she buried 5 of her 7 attempts while Shakirah Nanvubya scored 4 of 9 attempts.

The quality of shots attempted by the KIU Rangers was poor and even when they had open shots, the shooters made poor shots. On the other hand, the Lady canons moved the ball and created for their shooters in the corners.

Rebounding battle

The Lady Canons did very well in this aspect as they outrebounded the Rangers 59-39. They managed to get 20 offensive rebounds and scored 20 second chance points. This was a very big problem for the Rangers and didn’t seem to have a solution for it.

It is important to point out that the Lady canons own this duel even without their top rebounder Bridget Aber.

The absence of Mary Amaniyo is hurting the KIU Rangers a lot but they have to make better use of Stella Nanfuka, Alado Patricia, and Nanyonga Florence in the interior.