The UMU Flames edged the UPDF Tomahawks in game 4, winning 56-53, to level the Division One finals series.

Coming into this game, the Flames had won game 3, 53-41, after putting up a defensive masterclass.

UMU carried the energy from game 3 into the start of game 4 but it quickly fizzled out.

After the first quarter, UMU Flames led the game 11-10 but once again, they weren’t punishing UPDF on the free throw line.

They missed 4 of their 6 attempts in the first quarter, all by Gatwech Kong.

In the first 5 minutes of the second quarter, the Tomahawks established themselves.

They made a 13-0 run to take a 10-point lead, the highest in the game.

However, UMU managed to stabilize and at the halftime break, they trailed 21-27.

The third quarter was the complete opposite of what we saw in the second.

UPDF was on the ropes and they had no solutions on offense.

They scored a single field goal and a total of 6 points.

UMU scored 13 points and took the lead, 34-33.

However, their free throw problems were still affecting them.

They had a chance to lead the game by 5 points but they missed 4 consecutive free throws at the end of the quarter.

In total, they missed 7 of their 13 free throw attempts in the third quarter.

With under 3 minutes to play in the  fourth quarter, the UPDF Tomahawks led the game 51-45 but one moment changed things.

Okello Morris was called for an unsportsmanlike foul and Joshua Duallo scored the free throws.

On the next possession, Kato Paul missed the target but Duallo once again was there to save the day.

He picked the offensive rebound and scored the layup to make it a 2-point game.

Icumar it made a 3-point game for UPDF after making 1 of the 2 free throws but their lead was threatened when UMU went to the line.

Wasswa Peter missed 1 of 2 free throws and his twin brother, Kato Paul, missed the next 2.

However, UPDF made turnovers on back-to-back possessions and this time round, Rubahimbya Jassey hit a huge 3 which game UMU a 1-point lead.

Icumar Joel tied the game on free throw line after UMU’s Wasswa was charged with the Technical.

Shortly after, Wasswa gave UMU back the lead after burying one of 2 free throws.

The Flames managed to get a defensive stop on UPDF’s next possession and UMU managed to see out the game with a 56-53 victory.

Player Stats

UMU Flames

Gatwech Kong 16 pts, 3 reb, 5 stl

Joshua Duallo 11 pts, 11 reb, 3 stl

Rubahimbya Jasset 8 pts, 2 reb, 2 stl

UPDF Tomahawks

Icumar Joel 20 pts, 7 reb, 2 stl

UPDF had only one player score more than 5 points in this game.

They also 2 players who fouled out while one was ejected.

In this series, UPDF has had 2 players ejected. Janvier Baraka in game 2 and Deng Isaac in game 4.

For the first time in this series, UMU scored more 3-point shots than UPDF.

They managed to sink 4 while the army side scored just 2.

The series is now tied 2-2 and it will be a very exciting remainder of the series.

Game 5 will be on Wednesday 26th at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.