4 of the last 5 Our Savior Banyabo games have been decided in overtime.

3 of those have been won by Our Savior and game 3 of the finals was no exception.

Phiona Apio was the ‘Savior’ for Our Savior as she scored the winner with less than 10 seconds left in overtime two.

The game was very low-scoring, but the excitement in the fourth quarter was untenable.

The game was always within one possession and it was tied 4 times.

However, in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter, Our Savior got a steal, and Vivian Onyami missed the shot.

On the other end,  Melissa Kyazze was blocked by Atima Olivia on their final possession and the game went into overtime tied 45 a piece.

Otima Olivia scored all 6 points for Our Savior, but they almost gifted Nkumba another victory.

With 15 seconds left in the game, Banyabo led the game by 1 point and had the possession.

Surprisingly, Kirabo Nabazza inbounded the ball to Shalom who was fouled and had a chance to give Nkumba the lead.

She made the first free throw and missed the second.

However, they got the offensive rebound and had an opportunity to bury the game but Venitah Kahunde and Mellisa Kyazze both missed their attempts.

After Privas Kayeny gave Nkumba the lead with about 15 seconds left, Our Savior called a timeout, and Phiona spectacularly delivered the winner.

Talking Points and Coaches’ reactions

“It’s a great feeling. We knew the importance of this game, and I’m glad we got the win,” Our Savior Banyabo Coach Angella said after they won.

On the final attempt by Our Savior, the 2 coaches each had their thoughts on what happened.

“We didn’t want anyone getting good looks. We asked them to switch on any screens and make sure they were tight and close to any one of our opponents. It was a lucky shot” Nkumba coach Timothy Odeke on their defensive strategy.

“I was telling them to get in their spots where they can be effective. Phiona was in her zone and she managed to drop the shot” Our Savior Coach Angella Namirimu on her message to the team during the timeout before the shot.

With their final possession in overtime one, Banyabo had the lead but made a turnover on the inbound under their own hoop.

Their coach, Angella, shared her thoughts on this moment.

“I understand the pressure that is on the floor to the extent that we cannot inbound the ball”

“We have been in these games before where our hearts are crushed, we die, and we resurrect, so it wasn’t new,” she added.

Coach Angella also admitted to their lapses which have cost them at certain times.

“There are lapses here and there because of the tension, and it is expected. I like the fact that we turn those moments of lapses into some moments of confidence”

When Shalom went to the line and had a chance to give Nkumba the lead, she made only one and her coach shared his thoughts.

“I don’t blame her because it is a tense moment at that time. At least she gave us one of them and we went into overtime”

Nkumba lacked the services of their youngster Ssengendo Mary Hazel who is averaging 14 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.5 steals, and 2.5 assists. The coach made an update about her absence.

“She has school assignments and asked to be off. That is something more important than the game and so we gave her a break”

For Our Savior, their youngster, Atima Olivia, came alive and carried the team in overtime. She scored 5/5 in overtime and added 3 rebounds and 1 assist.

Her coach shared some thoughts about her and how she’s helping the team.

“Her energy and being fitter than most of the team takes us a long way. I like how she locks in when we keep in her ear about what she can do and not about what she has done wrong.  The whole team is in her ear telling her what she is capable of”

Another top performer in this game was Privas Kayeny who recorded the first triple-double of the season.

She had 11 blocks, 26 rebounds, and 19 points, and her coach used some words to describe her.

“She is relentless, hardworking, and she doesn’t give up,” Coach Odeke remarked.

Despite her incredible performance, Privas made an uncalled-for shot in overtime, from which Nkumba was punished, and the coach commented on that.

“She got over herself and we told her that our shots need to be well selected and she needs to trust her teammates. It was just one of those moments when a person is overtaken by excitement”

For Our Savior, Coach Angella talked about what they need to do to slow Privas down;

“Our problem is consistency. There are minutes where she’s so ineffective but then we have lapses. We can’t afford to have lapses on a player like Privas because she’s so effective for the Nkumba team.

Mellisa Kyazze attempted 17 3-point shots and despite having good looks, she managed to score only 2 and finished with 3/25, 12% FG.

However, Coach Odeke said it was just a bad day.

“I think it was a bad day for her but she usually makes those shots. As long as she has open shots, we tell her to take the shots even when she’s missing. You never know when you catch a grip on it and make the shots”

He concluded with what they need to do in game 4 to secure the win.

“We are going to have to make our offense more fluid”

Coach Angella concluded with what she expects from her team in game 4 with a chance to tie the series.

“We need to lock in and stay consistent. Even when the pressure comes, we shouldn’t get carried away”

Our Savior Banyabo

Vivian Faith Onyami 14 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast

Gimbo Barbra 14 pts, 13 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl

Phiona Apio 13 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast, 4 stl, 2 blk

Atima Olivia 10 pts, 8 reb, 2 ast

Nkumba Lady Marines

Privas Kayeny 19 pts, 26 reb, 1 1 blk, 1 stl

Shalom Jairah 13 pts, 7 reb, 7 ast, 2 stl

Mellisa Kyazze 11 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast

Facts

Privas Kayeny recorded the first triple-double of the season.

She has also registered 20+ rebounds in all the 3 games in the finals so far.

Her 10 blocks is the most by a player (female) in a game this season.

4 of their last 5 Our Savior games have been decided in overtime.