Angels secured their first victory in the 2025 NBL season after defeating the Nkumba Lady Marines 61-59.

Both teams got relegated in the 2023 NBL season and being back in the NBL means a lot to them.

They are both fighting to stay in the top flight and having lost their first 2 games, a victory for either team was going to be huge.

Ahead of the game, the Lady Marines had won their last 2 games against Angels, 65-51 and 64-48 but that was in Division One.

In the 2023 NBL season, Angels won both games when the 2 teams faced each other.

57-40 in round one and 56-49 in round two.

However, all this history wasn’t going to matter because all of them needed a positive result.

The game was very close and went from end to end.

In the first quarter, the lead never exceeded 4 points but Angels led 16-14.

There were a total of 6 lead changes in the first quarter alone, and that was an indication of how much each team wanted the game.

To start the second quarter, Angels looked shaken up as they made 8 turnovers in less than 3 minutes.

However, Nkumba scored just 2 points from turnovers in that time and they never gained any advantage.

By halftime, Nkumba led the game 30-29 but the game was still open for either team.

The third quarter was a replica of the first.

The game was tied on 4 different occasions and there was a total of 7 lead changes.

However, Angels was in the lead, 46-45, at the end of the period.

They scored just 1 point in the first 3 minutes of the fourth quarter but they were still in the game.

When their moment struck, they finished the game off.

Elwor Paulina and Joan Namatovu hit back-to-back triples in clutch time as Angels made a 10-0 run to take a 7-point lead with under a minute to go.

Nkumba scored 2 quick baskets and had a chance to tie or take the lead on multiple occasions but Privas failed to put the ball in the basket on her four attempts.

Just like that, Angels held on to win the game 61-59.

Match Stats

Angels

Martha Patience Likicho 17 pts, 4 reb

Grace Kwarisima 14 pts, 9 reb

Namatovu Joan 11 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast, 7 stl

Nkumba Lady Marines

Mellisa Kyazze 13 pts, 2 stl

Pricas Kayeny 12 pts, 11 reb, 1 ast, 7 stl, 3 blk

Match Facts

Angels registered their first win of the season.

This was the first time that both teams had scored 50+ points this season.

Angels return have a 1-2 record and they will be back in action on Wednesday 2nd April as they take on Magic Stormers at Abja Park in Naalya.

Nkumba Lady Marines have lost all their 3 games to start the season, and things will only get tougher.

They will be back in action on Sunday 6th April against KIU Rangers at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.