After very tense, exciting, and very close games 1 and 2 of the series between Nkumba Marines and UPDF, game 3 was upon us, and it was the most anticipated game in basketball circles in the last 2 years in Division One.

In game 2, the Tomahawks had tied the series 1-1, but a lot of chaos was witnessed, players fighting, fans getting involved, and even the army.

With all that in mind, everyone was anxiously waiting, and by 7:45 pm, a crowd that hadn’t been seen at any Div 1 game this season filled the YMCA stands, and to make matters interesting, the army side brought cheerleaders of their own from Bombo barracks.

The strategy for UPDF was very clear from the start as they protected their interior very well pushing Nkumba to strike from distance.

However, Nkumba was not very efficient scoring from the field.

They made 21 attempts in the first quarter 13 of them being from behind the arc and they only managed to sink one.

In contrast, UPDF scored 6/13 from the 3-point line and despite scoring none of their attempts in the interior, they led the game 21-14.

The situation for Nkumba began crumbling in the second quarter they seemed not to have a solution.

Despite their field goal percentage improving from the first quarter (5/15), they had 6 fewer attempts.

They allowed UPDF to get 7 offensive rebounds and capitalized,  scoring 8 second chance points.

The Marines were only allowed 3 offensive rebounds and the box-out by the Tomahawks was in full effect.

The third quarter was a low-scoring one but the University side took it and cut the deficit to 7.

In the first 5 minutes of the quarter, there were more Turnovers (6) and Blocks (5) than field goals scored (4) an indication of how stale the quarter was.

As the fourth quarter approached, Nkumba Marines had the momentum, and many thought a comeback was imminent, but UPDF engaged another gear that many hadn’t anticipated.

They went on a 14-2 run to extend their lead to 19 points halfway through the quarter.

At this point, Nkumba did not have any solutions and they looked devoid of morale.

The key to the Tomahawks’ run was the defense they applied. A zone coupled with aggressive and disciplined 1v1 caused the Marines to make a plethora of mistakes and also take tough, rushed shots.

The Marines scored just 3 of 17 attempts in the fourth quarter while UPDF scored 8 of 17 attempts, Vincent Mubiru making 4 of those with such finesse.

With just 24 points to 8 in the fourth quarter, UPDF Tomahawks won the game 74-51 and advanced to the semifinals.

UPDF Tomahawks

Okoth Henry 19 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 6 stl

Godwin Muhamireho 10 pts, 13 reb, 2 blk, 1 stl

Musiime  Collin 10 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl, 3 blk

Vincent Mubiru 16 pts, 6 reb, 5 stl, 1 blk

Andrew Gang 12 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl, 1 blk

Nkumba Marines

Moses Mandiria 10 pts, 9 blk, 13 reb, 3 stl

Garang Garang 11 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk

Adolf Asiimwe 9 pts, 10 reb, 1 ast

Facts

Moses Mandiria made 25 blocks in the 3 games, an average of 8.3 per game.

UPDF Tomahawks will face Rezlife Saints in the semifinals.

The two sides got relegated from the 2023 NBL season, and only one of them will get to go back up.