Makerere Sparks defeated Victoria She was 49-47, in game 2 of the FUBA Division One, to level the series 1-1.

After winning game one 57-44 just the day before, the Victoria She Crocs came into this game on a mission to go up 2-0.

However, the Makerere Sparks had other ideas.

They knew that an 0-2 hole would be hard to come out of and so they came all out for this one.

After the first quarter, the Sparks led the game 12-6.

Building on defense was the key to their game and they forced Victoria into 9 turnovers in the first quarter  alone.

Makerere started with fire, and at some point, they led the game 10-0.

That offensive fire did not last long and in the final 6 minutes of the quarter, they scored just 2 points.

However, their defense was working.

Tables turned around in the second quarter as Victoria outscored Makerere 20-8 to lead 26-20 at halftime.

The She Crocs became a problem for Makerere. Viola Nakazibwe and Faridah Kadondi were picking every rebound, Bisoboka Naluyima was running past the Sparks’ guards with ease and the 3-point shots were dropping.

Thelma Toskin scored 2 3-point shots while Ayak Ngor added the other.

Going into the fourth quarter, Victoria still led by 4 points but the energy was leaning the Makerere Sparks favor.

With just under 4 minutes left in the game, Makerere Sparks took their first lead of the game since the second quarter.

The free throw line was going to be the determinant. Makerere was forcing turnovers but the conversion was not there but they were fouled.

They endeavored to make at least one shot on the line for every trip they made.

In the final seconds of the game, Makerere led by 2 points and their former player Viola Nakazibwe went to the free throw line witj a chance to tie.

Fortunately for Makerere, she missed both free throws and She Crocs still had a chance to tie the game.

In the final inbound, Thelma Toskin passed to Kadondi but the pressure from Jovia Nalwoga forced her into a turnover and that sealed the victory for Makerere.

Victoria registered 38 turnovers and Makerere managed to scored 24 points from turnovers.

The She Crocs also registered a staggering 26 personal fouls and had 3 players foul out.

Makerere Sparks had 31 attempts from the free throw line and they manage to score 17.

Victoria had 20 attempts and scored 7 of those.

Both teams will have to improve in their conversion from the free throw line.

In game one, Thelma Toskin registered 16 points and 7 rebounds.

Former Sparks’ player Viola Nakazibwe was a stone in the Makerere Sparks’ shoe as she registered 10 points, 13 rebounds and 2 steals in 22 minutes.

Youngster Sharon Kilokya finished with 13 points and 2 rebounds.

For the Makerere Sparks, Mercy Ageno registered a double-double, 11 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists.

Florence Konga also came up huge with 11 points but her biggest contribution was on defense.

Player Stats

Makerere Sparks

Mercy Ageno 13 pts, 4 reb, 3 stl

Afua Nabawanga 12 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 5 stl

Faridah Nakyanzi 10 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast

Victoria She Crocs

Thelma Toskin 14 pts, 10 reb

Faridah Kadondi 8 pts, 14 reb, 2 ast

Viola Nakazibwe 6 pts, 13 reb, 2 stl

The series is now tied 1-1 and both teams will be preparing hard for the next games.

Game 3 and 4 will take place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th at KIU, Kansanga and Hamz Stadium respectively.