Nkumba Lady Marines defeated Our Savior Banyabo 63-53 in Game One of the 2024 FUBA Division One Finals on Wednesday 22nd at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.

The Lady Marines had an 11-point lead heading into the halftime break and that seemed to be enough for them secure the victory.

Banyabo started the game with a 7-0 run, but tables turned shortly afterward, and Nkumba’s big guns started delivering.

The Lady Marines’ defense inched up slightly and they started to force turnovers which they capitalized on offensively.

They also cleaned up the boards really nicely and scored 8 second chance points.

The demons from the previous series for Our Savior returned in the second quarter as they looked very horrible.

They kept missing layups and made so many mistakes which, despite Nkumba building an 11-point lead, did not punish severely.

Banyabo turned the ball over on 3 of their first 4 possessions and after that they went on a missing spree.

The Lady Marines made so many mistakes of their own in the third quarter.

They had 7 turnovers most of which were unforced but they managed to get away with this.

Our Savior cut the deficit to 5 halfway through the third quarter, but then Kayeny Privas turned up.

She drained 2 huge 2 huge 3-point shots as Nkumba went on a quick 10-0 to make it a 15-point game.

It was always going to be a tough game for Banyabo and with them down by as many as 14 in the fourth quarter, a comeback was a big ask.

Talking points

Taking your chances has to be the song that Coach Angella Namirimu is singing to her side, Our Savior.

Banyabo had 14 more Field Goal attempts than Nkumba but their conversion is alarming.

The most heartbreaking thing is the fact that they miss a lot of layups, which is a basic and perhaps the easiest way to score in basketball.

Against a team like Nkumba, you have to score your free throws, and Our Savior have continued their struggles from the Semi-Finals.

5/14 is just not good and despite Nkumba also not being lethal (5/0), they can be a dangerous side on the line.

Nkumba gave away multiple turnovers (31) which were unforced and that is an area they need to work on.

In game 2 against Amazon Rhinos, we saw how much they got punished and they should know that on any other given day, a team could punish them for being careless.

Our Savior has to figure out ways of taking Kayeny Privas out of the game. Her towering height has enabled her get rebounds but, Banyabo have to try and keep her away from the glass as possible.

Offensively, she has added to her bag with the 3-point shooting. She sank 4/6 in game one and Coach Angella has to find out a solution to that in game 2 otherwise, Privas may go off for 30+ if the shots drop.

Match Stats

Nkumba Lady Marines

Privas Kayeny 21 pts, 26 reb, 3 ast, 7  stl, 1 blk

Shalom Jairah 10 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast

Ssengendo Mary Hazel 10 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 4 stl

Linda Mishelle 12 pts, 1 reb

Our Savior Banyabo

Gimbo Barbra 24 pts, 10 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl

Sarah Nassuna 12 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl

Fact

Gimbo Barbra has scored double-digits in 4 of the last 5 games for Our Savior.

Privas Kayeny is the first Lady to register 20+ points and 20+ rebounds in a single game this playoffs.

She has also picked 20+ rebounds in  3 of the last 5 games.

After registering at least 1 block in 4 consecutive games, Mary Hazel’s streak ended.

Linda Mishelle has scored 10+ points in 4 of 5 games so far in the playoffs.

The 2 teams will meet again on Friday at YMCA for Game 2.

Game 3 shall also take place at YMCA on Sunday.