The Uganda Gazelles returned to winning ways after defeating South Sudan 83:69 on Wednesday, 5th, February, and moving into second place.

The Gazelles came into this game on the back of a 3-point defeat against Egypt and their aim was to return to winning ways and put themselves in a strong contending position.

On the other hand, South Sudan came into the game after registering a big win against Kenya in their first game and they knew that defeating Uganda would put them in a very good position.

With the 2 teams seeking to put themselves in strong positions, the floor was set for a very interesting game.

Uganda started on a strong foot and led the game 27-17 after the first quarter.

Shakirah Nanvubya was hot, 2/3 from the 3-point line and finished the quarter with 8 points.

Jane Asinde also attacked the basket and she came away with some points.

8 first-quarter points and 4/7 from the free throw line.

In the first 5 minutes of the second quarter, South Sudan closed in and made a 10-3 run to make it a 3-point game, but the Gazelles awoke and took the game over.

Nanvubya snapped the South Sudan momentum with her 4th 3-point shot of the game, and from there onwards,  Jane Asinde and Paige Robinson scored big buckets.

South Sudan scored just 1 field goal in the final 5 minutes of the second quarter, and this was because the defense of Uganda increased, and their offense was fired up, 16 points in 5 minutes.

In the third quarter, South Sudan scored huge 3-point shots, 4/9 but Uganda’s big men did work in the paint on offense.

Uganda scored 18 points, and all of them came from the big men: Jane Asinde, 8 pts, 4/5 FG; Hope Akello, 4 points, 2/3 FG; and Claire Lamunu, 6 pts, 2/4 FG.

It was all about game management in the fourth quarter and the Gazelles managed to do enough to maintain a sizable lead.

Delicia Washington was on fire in the fourth quarter, 9 points to her name but it wasn’t enough for South Sudan to make a comeback.

Jane Asinde was dangerous as she wreaked havoc in the paint of the opposition, and her 28 points are the highest scored by a player so far in the game.

Uganda now has 2 wins in 3 games while South Sudan has 1 win in 2 games.

Match Stats

Uganda

Jane Asinde 28 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk

Paige Robinson 14 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast

Hope Akello 12 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl

Shakirah Nanvubya 14 pts, 4 ast

South Sudan

Delicia Washington 24 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast

Adut Bulgak 14 pts, 8 reb, 3 ast

Rose Macuei 12 pts, 10 reb, 2 stl

Uganda will return to action on Thursday and will face Burundi.

Given that Burundi is not as strong, changes to the squad are expected.  There could be more minutes for Agatha, Becky, Melissa, Claire, Jamila, and the youngsters Modesta Anyango and Bushira Namayanja.

South Sudan will be playing against Egypt in a must-win game.

If they lose and Uganda wins Uganda and Egypt shall finish as the top 2 teams.

If South Sudan defeats Egypt and wins their game against Burundi, they will be tied with Uganda 3-1 and if Egypt also wins their final game against Kenya, all the 3 teams shall be tied at 3-1.

South Sudan knows whats at stake and a loss automatically puts them out of the top 2.