With 2:59 left in the game, Alier Pech made a putback dunk to tie the game 71-71 but that was the final field goal that the UCU canons scored in the game.

The Nam Blazers made 3 big plays that won them the game and it was down to the experience of these players.

Tonny Drileba took on and beat Flore Dushime before setting up Jimmy Eanbu who finished skillfully at the basket.

On their next possession, the Blazers swung the ball a couple of times before Joel Lukoji found Peter Obleng who buried the corner three.

Defensively, Lukoji got a steal a few seconds later and finished with a layup plus the foul.

He managed to score the free throw off to make it 8 points for Namuwongo in under a minute.

The Canons tried attempted a couple of 3-point shots but they did not land and finally, Peter Obleng closed the game with a jump shot to make it 82-72.

Ahead of the game, the Nam Blazers were unbeaten in their first 10 games and this being their final first round game, they aimed at getting the win and closing the round with 100% record.

The Canons were on a 4-game winning streak and this game was a big opportunity to keep their momentum going and also to further boost the morale of the boys.

The Blazers led the game 22-17 after the first quarter and it looked as though they would create some separation as the game progressed.

However, that wasn’t the case as the UCU Canons kept within touching distance the entire time.

The Blazers led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter but the Canons closed it with a 7-0 run to make it 39-33 at halftime.

The Blazers buried 3 triples in the quarter and extended their lead to as many as 15 points but Lwabaga Ibanda kept the Canons in the game.

He made 10 of the canon’s 16 points in the quarter and as the fourth quarter approached, it was a 10-point game.

Moses Mugisha made 2 huge shots for Namuwongo to start the final quarter but the Canons kept coming.

They put together a 16-5 run in the fourth quarter to tie the game but Namuwongo managed to finish them off late.

Namuwongo Blazers

Moses Mugisha 14 pts, 5 reb

Joel Lukoji 14 pts, 6 reb, 5 astz 3 stl

Jimmy Enabu 10 pts, 7 ast, 6 reb

Arthur Wanyoto 10 pts, 10 reb

Peter Obleng 11 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast

Tonny Drileba 11 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 4 stl

UCU Canons

Lwabaga Ibanda 18 pts, 5 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk

Flore Dushime 14 pts, 5 ast, 2 reb, 2 stl

Kayiira Joel 7 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast

The UCU Canons had a chance to make it 5 consecutive wins but were unable to do so. They now have a 5-4 record and a top four finish in the first round is still possible.

They will take on the JT Jaguars next Saturday on 10^th May at YMCA.

The Namuwongo Blazers have finished the first round with a perfect 11-0 record and will have about a month’s rest before the second round starts.