Victoria University continued their winning streak making it 6/6 wins in round 2.

This comes after their 72-68 comeback victory against UPDF on Wednesday 2nd at YMCA.

Victoria University came into this game with the better form and they were on a mission to get revenge against UPDF for the 74-63 loss in round one.

Victoria University led the game 17-14  after the first quarter but UPDF engaged another gear in the second and they took over the game.

The Tomahawks were super aggressive defensively, always looking to attack the paint and they managed to get some baskets.

The biggest threat though was Henry Okotj who buried all his 3 3-point shot attempts in the second quarter and finished with 19 points in the first half, 5/7 3PM.

On the side, Cedric Alema was also delivering for Victoria University. 

He had 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks and 1 steal in the first half.

The third quarter was pretty much even but UPDF held a slight advantage and led the game 61-54 heading into the fourth quarter.

Andrew Gang scored 2 huge 3-point shots including one as the buzzer sounded to close the quarter.

Joseph Kumbai also returned into the game for Victoria University and was able to score 6 valuable points for them.

In the fourth quarter, the UPDF Tomahawks couldn’t score to score their lives. They had just 7 points and only 2 field goals.

Victoria University utilized the foul trouble that UPDF had gotten themselves into they scored 8 free throws in the fourth quarter alone.

Everything was crumbling for UPDF, and on almost every possession, they seemed to make a mistake for which Victoria capitalized, and in the end, the University side won the game 72-68.

Coaches reactions

Victoria University Crocs Head Coach Rodgers Serunyigo shared what helped the team make the comeback and win the game.

“I think it’s the fight. Any game that you have without a fight, it’s gone. There was a good change with my team, they put in a different shift to win this game and they stayed concentrated”

He also commented on the solution they got for Henry Okoth who had scored 19 points at the half;

“At the half after noticing that Henry Okoth had scored 19 points, we had to take him out and we reduced on his scoring ability”

UPDF finished the game with 29 fouls and Victoria University was sent to the free throw line 36 times and they scored 19 of them.

The coach Rodgers also talked about the foul situation;

“Even at training, we knew they were going to come and foul us. In every quarter, their flag went up and we had to shoot from the line. I still feel our Free throws are not on point, we were not converting as expected”

UPDF Tomahawks Head Coach Mandy Baker had his thoughts on what the loss meant for him and his team.

“Its good for them. They have been having a few easy wins and they haven’t been taking things seriously but now, (it’s different)”

“It’s hard to take but it’s also good for them to understand because if they think things down here are easy, they now know it’s not easy”

He also commended the boys on the  defense they showcased during the game.

“I’m happy with the defense we played today, it’s just that we didn’t score. The other team had no answer to our defense”

Match Stats

Victoria University

Alema Cedric 19 pts, 13 reb, 3 ast

Joseph Kumbai 11 pts, 9 reb

Muwanguzi Roland 11 pts, 4 reb

UPDF Tomahawks

Henry Okoth 29 points

Andrew Gang 10 points

Victoria University has now won all their 6 second round games and they will take on Entebbe Knight Riders in their next game on Saturday 5th October at Nakasero.

UPDF has now won 6 of their 8 second-round games after their loss against Rezlife Saints was overturned.

They will face in-form Nkumba Marines next on Saturday 12th October at Entebbe Club Court in their next game.