The KCCA Panthers defeated the newcomers, Rezlife Saints 56-53 in a battle that went down to the wire.

With 62 seconds left in the game, Stanley Mugerwa scored a big basket to give thr Panthers a 6 point lead and for most people, it was the final stroke.

However, less than 20 seconds later, the games turns around after a huge call by the referee.

Gaius Mahamba was called for an off the ball foul on Leonardo Gilabi and in the same sequence, Francis Kasinde buried a triple to make it a 3-point game.

Now, all over a sudden, Rezlife had a chance to make it a 1-point game if Gilabi made both free throws.

He did not!

He made just one, and KCCA was able to come away with a narrow victory.

KCCA led the game 15-12 after the first quarter.

In the second, they ramped up their defense and limited Rezlife to just 3 points in the first 7 minutes.

However, they made back-to-back turnovers from which Rezlife scored and the momentum looked to have slightly shifted ahead of the second half.

With less than 3 minutes left in the game, KCCA led by as many as 10 points but their game management lacked a little and they opened a window for Rezlife Saints to come in.

This was one of the most physical games we have seen so far and both teams went at each other with such force.

KCCA did excellent work defensively. They were not allowing dribble penetrations and Rezlife faced difficulties in getting to their paint.

Match Stats

KCCA Panthers

Stephen Otoa 25 pts, 9/10 FG, 6 reb, 2 ast

Emmanuel Odong 6 pts, 12 reb

Caesar Kizito 11 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast

Rezlife Saints

Leonardo Gilabi 10 pts, 5 reb

Apugi Takpiny 10 pts, 9 reb

Rezlife Saints take on Kampala Rockets, who lost their opener to Victoria University, on Sunday 23rd at Lugogo.

KCCA Panthers take on Sommet next on Saturday 29th at YMCA.