This was one of the most intense fourth-quarter performances we’ve seen in the playoffs so far but the UCU Lady Canons took the game in the end, winning 52:48 to lead the series 2:1.

Shakirah Nanvubya scored the game-winning 3-point shot with 70 seconds and the KIU Rangers never responded after that despite having had 2 other opportunities.

The KIU Rangers lost the game after Stella Nanfuka ran out of ideas on offense and made a very bad pass that ultimately resulted in the 3-point shot by Nanvubya. otherwise, the game was still there for the taking, and up until that point, they had the momentum.

After losing game 2, the UCU Lady Canons had to take care of business in game 3 and they started off very well.

They scored 20 points in the first quarter, including 4 3-point shots, a very big improvement from the none made in game 2.

After the UCU Lady Canons had made an 8:0 run to take a 10-point lead halfway through the quarter, the KIU Rangers did well to try and slow them down and in the remainder of the quarter, they outscored them but the Lady Canons led 20-14.

It was a horrible offensive second-quarter performance from both teams with a total of 16 points scored and just 7 Field Goals.

There was a 4-minute stretch in the game where just 1 point was scored and that summed up that quarter but the UCU Lady Canons were still in the lead, 29-21 as halftime approached.

Both teams continued their low scoring at the start of the third quarter and in the first 3 minutes, there were no points scored.

Hajara Najjuko broke the deadlock, scoring back-to-back baskets to give the Lady Canons  a 13-point lead but those were the last Field Goals they scored in that quarter.

The Rangers upped their defense, and with the Lady Canons already in foul trouble, they collected some points from the free-throw line.

They went to the line 12 times in the quarter but only managed to score 7 points, a thing that cost them in the end.

The fourth quarter was one of the most intense we’ve seen so far, and there were a total of 10 lead changes.

The Rangers started well, scored 4 points from turnovers in the first 45 seconds and they took the lead.

The Lady Canons responded through Tracy Namugosa and from there on, both teams were trading baskets until that turnover by Nanfuka and the game winner by Nanvubya.

Talking points

3-point shooting

The Lady Canons scored 2 more 3-point shots than they did in game 2 and their game-winner was a 3-point shot by Nanvubya.

They started the game very well, scoring 4 3-point shots in the first quarter and for a moment, most people thought we would get a repeat of what we saw in game one, where they scored 14.

However, the Rangers reset themselves and they made it difficult for UCU to get open shots.

The KIU Rangers, on the other hand, had problems of their own. Their main weapon, Ines Kanyamuneza, scored none of her 6 attempts, and as a matter of fact, she scored 0 points in the whole game.

The Lady Canons knew that the Rangers would be creating for her and they did a good job of always having her covered. She took contested shots on every occasion and other times it was when the shot clock was expiring and she just threw it up.

Discipline on Defense

The Rangers have done massively well to work on their defense. They have employed the zone and everyone on is working in sync.

Just like in game two, each person has been tirelessly doing their role. Whether on the ball, deny or help, these guys have been disciplined and it has yielded results.

The UCU Lady Canons have also done their job but the biggest work they did was to cut off the head of the snake, Ines Kanyamuneza.

They froze her out, and Elizabeth Aguti started to bring down the ball, and she had the possession a lot of the time.

With her on the ball, you don’t expect much in terms of facilitation, which the Lady Canons knew and she ended the game with 0 assists.

Rebounding

Having improved massively in game 2, the KIU Rangers returned to default.

They collected 37 rebounds, 2 less than in game 1 and the UCU team had 53.

The Lady Canons scored 11 second chance points and even the game-winner was a result of a second chance.

Match Stats

UCU Lady Canons

Shakirah Nanvubya 14 pts, 3 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl

Hajara Najjuko 11 pts, 3 reb, 1 stl

Bridget Aber 13 reb, 8 pts, 1 stl, 3 blk

KIU Rangers

Sharon Kirabo 11 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 4 stl

Racheal Nanyonga 11 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl

Elizabeth Aguti 7 pts, 6 reb

The teams return to action on Thursday 22nd for game 4 at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.

The KIU Rangers must win in order to extend the series while the UCU Lady Canons will be looking to get the win and advance to the finals.

KIU Rangers’ Mary Amaniyo came on for a bit in game 3 and whether or not she features in game 4 is still a mystery.