Tuesday, June 14
Girls: Rwanda 50-71 Uganda
Boys: Uganda Vs Tanzania – 7pm

Uganda’s Under-18 national Girls basketball team, the Junior Gazelles, got off the mark with an impressive 71-50 victory over Rwanda in their opening game of the ongoing 2022 FIBA Zone V U18 Afrobasket Qualifiers at the indoor Arena in Lugogo.

Uganda got off the blocks quickly and were 15-7 after the first quarter before leading by 24 points at halftime and never looked back before sealing a deserved win in front of the cheerful and encouraging home crowd.

It was revenge best served by the Junior Gazelles against Rwanda whose Boys team beat the Junior Silverbacks on Monday.

“The game turned out the way we expected, the girls had good energy and we executed well on our defensive plan” Junior Gazelles coach Ali Mavita said after the game.

“We had a few things we had to collect and going forward and very soon we shall reach there.”

Shilla Lamunu led the way with 14 points and as many rebounds, with the Magic Stormers youngster adding 7 assists to complete an incredible performance.

Immaculate Adongpiny and Mariam Namukwaya added 13 and 10 points respectively for the victorious Uganda who return to action against Tanzania on Wednesday.

Mavita added: “Tanzania is a much better opponent, So we have to polish up on our defensive lapses in defence and also our transitional offense is still slow.”

Violette Uwimpuhwe and Thalia Kayiranga Mugeni picked 13 and 12 points in that order for Rwanda who lost 50-40 to Tanzania on Monday.

The tournament, where teams face off twice, will see a winner qualify to the U18 Afrobasket in Madagascar.