Rezlife Saints secured a huge 77-62 victory against UMU Flames on Wednesday 6th at YMCA to increase their chances of finishing as the number one seed.

Ahead of the game, UMU had secured wins in back-to-back games including a triple overtime thriller against the UPDF Tomahawks.

Rezlife had fallen to Victoria University on Friday 30th October but their 102-41 victory against Entebbe Archers reignited their fire.

The Saints started the game on a 10-0 run UMU managed to score some baskets and they trailed 22-15 after the first quarter.

Emmanuel Oloya scored a quick triple to make it a 4-point game but Rezlife then went to a huge 14-0 run in the next 4 minutes to extend their lead to 18 points.

The Flames also got their moment in the final 5 minutes and they went on a 15-4 run to make it a 6-point game at halftime.

The game broke open in the third quarter after Rezlife started with a 12-0 run to take their lead back to 18 points.

They led by as many as 23 points but UMU stayed alive and at the end of the quarter, it was 69-51.

UMU made 10 turnovers and they were punished with 13 points from turnovers in the third quarter alone.

To make matters worse for UMU, Rezlife upped their scoring efficiency with 10/20 from the field and 7/8 from the free throw line.

UMU Flames attempted just 10 field goals and scored 3 of those, though they scored all their 8 free throw attempts.

The deficit was too much for UMU to comeback from and as the game progressed, the scores became fewer.

There was a combined 6 points scored in the final minutes of the game for both teams which says a lot about the ending.

Coaches Remarks

Rezlife Saints Head Coach Najja Daniel Jjuko highlighted what helped them secure the win;

“I’m happy for the win. UMU fought so hard but my guys stepped up a bit on defense and ran the plays we have been doing in practice”

He also talked about the mood and feeling in the camp after the win.

“The team looks back. After this game, it looks like the guys are getting back to that game fitness mode”

The coach concluded  with remarks about the performance of Gideon Kasasa and Michael Ssekibenga who had good outings for the team.

“Those are big players and they haven’t been playing to the level of our expectations. We’ve been trying to push them and today they stepped. Going forward, we need them to maintain what they displayed today”

UMU Head Coach Otim Gerald also shared his insights about what made them lose;

“We didn’t prepare well. We cam rushing in. I think they would have done better but psychologically, they weren’t prepared but i think in the next one, they’ll do better than this”

He also addresses what the issue was in the third quarter when the game slipped away;

“They took their shots [Rezlife] and we were a little bit late on defense. I generally did better on offense and we dipped defensively”

Ahead of the playoffs, he sounded optimistic;

“The boys are still doing well. I’d like them to stay consistent and focused because in the playoffs, it’s a different setting

They need to keep their mind into the game and I’m very comfortable that when they reach playoffs, they’ll do better.

These lessons is not a bad thing, it’s a lesson for them to know that there’s room to be serious”

Match Stats

Rezlife Saints

Gideon Kasasa 16 pts, 4 reb

Michael Othieno 13 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast

Akena Deo 13 pts, 8 reb, 3 stl, 2 blk

Leonardo Gilabi 11 pts, 8 reb

UMU Flames

Gordon Gai 19 pts, 3 reb

Joshua Duallo 13 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk

Wasswa Peter 9 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl

Rezlife Saints have a 22-3 record and they take on Entebbe Knight Riders on Friday 8th at YMCA and Diamonds in the Sun on Sunday 10th at YMCA.

Victories in these 2 games will mean they are a win away from locking down the number one seed.

UMU Flames has an 18-11 record and will take on Diamonds in the Sun on Saturday 9th in their final regular season game.