The Magic Stormers registered the biggest comeback of the season (21 points) as they defeated the KIU Rangers 75-73 on Wednesday 18th at Lugogo.

After the first quarter, the KIU Rangers led the game 26-6 and if anyone thought that the Stormers could make a comeback, they would have been crazy.  This is because, coming into this game, the Magic Stormers had won just one game and had also lost to the Pearl Queens despite having had a 16-point lead.

No one would have imagined a comeback of this magnitude but so is the nature of sports, surprises happen.

Ahead of this game, the Stormers had lost 5 of their 6 games and needed the to get a positive result to get their season back on track. However, they were totally dismantled in the first quarter as the KIU Rangers led the game 26-6. Sharon Kirabo and Ines Kanyamuneza each scored 2 3-point shots and had 10 points in the quarter.

As the start of the second quarter approached, the game changer for the Magic Stormers happened. Coach John Omondi, who had missed the most of the first quarter arrived and immediately made some changes.

As we know, he is a defensive genius and he employed his famous 1-3-1 press straight away. In less than 2 minutes pf the second quarter, the Magic Stormers had already scored 9 points which was more than they had done in the entire first quarter. This was sign that whatever the coach had changed tactically was working.

Magic Stormers kept applying the press and it was working.  However, they kept making mistakes and the Rangers managed to capitalise. Sharon Kirabo had the biggest impact in the quarter as she scored 9 points for the Rangers.

The Stormers managed to create very good shots and scored 4 triples in the second quarter alone. What was supposed to be an icing on the cake for them was when Kur Ajah was fouled on the 3-point line as the quarter widnded down but she missed all the 3 free throws.

As thus, the KIU Rangers led the game 45-30 but there were signs of a potential comeback given how better the Stormers had played in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, the press applying by the Magic Stormers yielded better results. They were all over the KIU Rangers, forcing them into trap zones and forcing mistakes. As thus, KIU made 10 turnovers and these resulted into 10 points from turnovers for the Magic Stormers.

Also, KIU was limited to just 13 points of which 7 of those came from the free throw line. Additionally, the Rangers were limited to just 10 attempts from the field while the Stormers had 22. This was a clear indication of the difference between the two sides at that point of the game.

Jesca Namugala hit some big shots early in the fourth quarter and with less than 5 minutes left, it was a 1-point game. The Rangers tried to hold on but Magic Stormers kept applying the pressure and forcing them into errors.

In the final minute of the game, KIU led by 3 points but Joy Nekesa Mupalia scored a big basket to make it a 1-point game. Shortly after, a foul was called against the Stormers and Racheal Nambuya had a chance to make it a 3-point game.

However, she missed one of the 2 free throws and immediately, the Stormers launched a quick attack. Joy Nekesa was left open at the top of the key and she attempted a 3-point shot but was unsuccessful. After that, KIU got the rebound but the Stormers hustled to take back possession and forced an 8-second violation in the process. Immediately after, the coach called for a timeout.

Magic Stormers inbounded the ball to Joy Nekesa who had been left open and she attempted a 3-point shot, again, from the top of the key. As the saying goes, second time is the charm; she managed to sink the triple to give the Stormers a 1-point lead.

KIU got the possession but when the ball was inbounded to Sharon kIrabo, she was unable to secure it thanks to the great defense by Daphine Adong. Also, Sharon was clearly too exhausted and she had gotten an injury during the game which was also affecting her.

All these things played in the hands of the Magic Stormers and they managed to see out the game, 75-73.

Facts

The Magic Stormers 21-point comeback is the biggest registered this season.

Sharon Kirabo became the fourth player to score 30+ points in a game this season. She is also the second player to score 30+ points in a loss, behind Mark Ngobi.

The Magic Stormers are the second team to score 10+ 3-point shots in a game this season.

Player Stats

Magic Stormers

Daphine Adong 25 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast, 6 stl

Kur Ajah 13 pts, 10 reb, 4 stl, 3 blk

Jesca Namugala 18 pts, 5 ast

Charity Lamaro 9 pts, 8 ast

KIU Rangers

Sharon Kirabo 31 pts, 13 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl

Ines Kanyamuneza 15 pts, 15 reb, 7 ast, 2 blk

Anena Cinderella 14 pts, 3 reb, 2 stl

The Magic Stormers registered their second win of the season and now have a 2-5 record. They face the JT Lady Jaguars next on Saturday 21st at ABJA Park.

The KIU Rangers have lost of their last 5 games and have a 3-4 record. They take on the UPDF Lady Tomahawks next on Saturday 21st at ABJA Park.