The FIBA 3X3 Youth Nations League Africa 1 started on Tuesday 3rd June in Benin’s Capital Porto-Novo.

Ugandan Ladies and Cote d’Ivoire men were the top performers on the opening day.

Uganda (ladies) won stop 1 after defeating Cote d’Ivoire 14-12 in overtime of the final.

Halfway through the game, Uganda led 8-4 and it seemed comfortable.

However, that lead did not last as Ivory Coast made a 7-1 run to take the lead, 11-9.

There was a bit of panic from Uganda as they tried to attempt from deep but couldn’t hit the target.

Fortunately for them, Cote d’Ivoire was already in foul trouble and Uganda got a couple of free throw attempts.

Shillah Lamunu had a chance to give Uganda the lead from the line with 1:16 left but she made 1 and missed one and the game went into overtime.

Shillah Lamunu and Martina Anyango combined on a well executed pick and roll to give Uganda the lead in overtime.

However, they needed one point but had to stop the opponents from getting a 2-point shot.

They defended the perimeter very well and soon got their opening.

Martina Anyango was fouled while picking a rebound and had a chance to win it on the line.

She missed the first but made the second and that gave Uganda the victory, 14-12.

Shillah Lamunu was the top points scorer of the day with 23 points.

Martina Anyango and Mary Nambogo had 10 each while Sylivia Nakituuka scored 9.

Women

Uganda 17-13 Kenya

Uganda 21-04 Burkina Faso

Uganda 14-12 Cote d’Ivoire

Sarah Namale and Tamasha Nsubuga were unused and we shall be waiting to see which team the coaches put out in stop 2.

Uganda (ladies) are in Pool with Cote d’Ivoire and Benin for Stop 2.

They will once again need to try and secure wins against both teams as only the top team advances.

The men finished last after losing all their 2 games and scoring the least number of points.

Men

Uganda 11-20 Kenya

Algeria (U21) 19-8 Uganda

Peter Obleng and Andrew Ssendawula are also with the team and whether they feature in stop 2 is yet to be seen.

Uganda is in the pool with Kenya and Benin for Stop 2.

They need to make sure they top the group in order to rack up as many points which will be the determinant of who will win the tournament.

Remember, the winner of this tournament qualifies for the U23 3×3 World Cup.