The KCCA Leopards managed to secure a hard-fought 83-79 victory against a relentless Magic Stormers that pushed their limits.

The Magic Stormers came into the game on the back of 3 consecutive victories and they were oozing with confidence.

Given that they defeated the Miracle Eaglets, a side that beat the KCCA Leopards, their confidence was even affirmed more and they played like champions.

On the other hand, the KCCA Leopards came into the game having won 5 straight and they knew they had to take care of business to keep the momentum going.

In the first quarter, they played like the team in form, having led 25-15.

The Leopards made a 15-0 run and looked like they were running away with the game.

In the meantime, Magic Stormers was creating open shots but they weren’t dropping.

Barbara Gimbo made back-to-back 3-point shots and Auma Angela added another late in the quarter to make it a 10-point game.

The Leopards utilized a lot of transition offense and scored 11 of 18 attempts from the field.

In the second quarter, both teams made multiple turnovers and were both utilizing.

The KCCA Leopards made 8 turnover and Magic Stormers scored 10 points from turnovers.

Stormers made 6 turnovers and KCCA scored 6 points from turnovers.

The Stormers also made 3 triples and this kept them in the game.

At halftime, the KCCA Leopards led the game 44-33 but one could tell it was still there for either team to take.

The KCCA Leopards made a 9-0 run to start the third quarter and increased their lead to 20 points.

At this point, everyone thought they had killed the game but the Magic Stormers kept fighting.

In the final 5 minutes of the quarter, the Stormers outscored the Leopards 19-6.

KCCA was scored just 1 point in the final 2 minutes of the quarter while Magic scored the final 8 points of the quarter to close the quarter 64-57.

In the fourth quarter, the Leopards tried to maintain a significant lead but the Stormers kept knocking on the door and they almost got an opening.

With 1:58 left in the game, KCCA led the game 82-69 but Stormed almost took the game.

Magic scored consecutive triples and added 4 points in their 10-0 run to make it a 3-point game with 28 second left.

The Leopards made turnover and the Stormers created another shot but Daphine Adong was unable to sink it.

After a foul, Lilian Cherotich was unable to make both free throws and the Stormers had another opportunity to tie the game.

They created a very good opportunity for youngster Doreen Nakibuka but instead of getting off the shot, she opted for the drive and turned the ball over in the process.

Just like that, KCCA weathered the Stormers and came away with an 83-79 win.

Match Stats

KCCA Leopards

Perus Nyamwenge 27 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast

Asinah Kabendela 10 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast

Margaret Bagaala 15 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl

Uwineza Ninette 10 ast, 9 pts, 4 reb, 9 stl

Magic Stormers

Angela Auma 32 pts, 2 reb, 4 stl

Daphine Adong 14 pts, 17 reb, 6 ast, 4 stl

The KCCA Leopards have won 6 games in a row and now have a 7-1 record.

They take on Angels next on Saturday 10th and will close their first round with a game against the JKL Lady Dolphins on Wednesday 14th.

Magic Stormers have a 5-3 record and finishing in the top 5 at the end of the first round is very plausible.

They take on the JT Lady Jaguars next on Saturday 10th and the KIU Rangers on Sunday 11th, both games at YMCA.