The U23 3×3 Gazelles did not have the best of starts at the U23 3×3 World Cup in Xiongan, China.

Despite fighting hard, the team lost both their opening 2 games.

Against New Zealand in the first and the Netherlands in the second.

The team lost 19-13 to New Zealand in a hard-fought game.

New Zealand took a 5-1 lead after the first 2:30 and they managed to keep a gap between them and Uganda till the end.

Kate Teresa Herman was fired up from behind the arc as she dropped 4 2-point shots and finished with 10 points.

On the other hand, Uganda had 3 in the entire game.

Martina Anyango was a presence in the paint both offensively and defensively.

She had 5 points for Uganda while Shillah Lamunu had 3, Mary Nambogo 4 and Sylivia Nakituuka 1.

In their next game against the Netherlands, the teams went toe-to-toe but lost 20-9.

After just above 3 minutes, the game was tied 4-4 but the Dutch begun to pull away.

They scored 5 unanswered points and with this lead, Uganda never caught up.

Lotte Van Kruistum lead the scoring with 8 points while Liselot Kulk caused problems for Uganda in the paint and she finished with 6 points.

Martina Anyango also gave the Dutch trouble and had a team-high 4 points.

Shillah Lamunu also scored 4 points while Nakituuka scored the other 1 point.

Throughout day one, Uganda only scored 4 2-point shots.

This is an area they must improve in if they are to stand a chance of winning a game.

Uganda’s best performance was in 2018 were they won 2 of their 4 group games and finished as number 13.

In the last 2 times they have represented at this stage, Uganda has not won a game.

The team has a chance to change that on Saturday 20th when they face Fiji and Czechia.

Saturday Fixture (EAT)

Uganda vs Fiji 12:30

Uganda vs Czechia 15:25