The Uganda U18 girls returned to action on Thursday 6th for their second game against Egypt and the results when not in their favor, losing 53:76.

After winning their opener against Zimbabwe, they would have secured a quarter-final spot with a victory against Egypt, but it was always going to be a tough game.

After the first quarter, Egypt led the game 23:15 but the big blow occurred in the second.

Uganda scored just 7 points to Egypt’s 23 and they trailed as many as 24 as half time approached.

Egypt continued to run riot and they led with as many as 33 points but Uganda fought back and brought it to within less than 30 points.

Talking points

Egypt had a lot of size compared to Uganda and that helped them a lot. They made it very difficult for Uganda to score on the inside.

With their height and size, they dominated the boards with 72 rebounds to Uganda’s 49 and this aspect was key in their victory.

Positives for Uganda

Despite being blown away, the Junior Gazelles kept their hearts and played till the end. That ability to stay positive and compete is very crucial more so as one progresses in the competition.

Uganda took care of the ball more than Egypt with 8 fewer turnovers. They also got 26 steals, twice the number that Egypt had, and they got rewarded with 28 points from turnovers compared to Egypt.

Those signs show that hadn’t Egypt blown them in the second quarter, maybe the game would have turned out differently.

They also indicate that the defensive tactics of Uganda worked well more so in the second half.

Match Stats

Uganda

Modesta Anyango 15 pts, 7 reb
Shiphrah Kiranda 10 pts, 10 reb

Egypt

Leila Elsanadily 15 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast
Khadiga Abouelghait 11 pts, 12 reb, 4 ast

Egypt is now 2/2 while Uganda is 1/2 and they take on Nigeria next.