Uganda NBL: UCU Canons beat Rezlife Saints 72-64 for bronze

UCU Canons secured the bronze medal in Uganda’s National Basketball League playoffs with a 72-64 victory over Rezlife Saints at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Sunday evening. The Canons led 16-15 after the first quarter, while the game was tied 28-28 at half-time.

The opening period was closely contested as both teams traded scores. Michael Otieno put Rezlife on the board from the free-throw line, but Ibanda Lwabaga answered with a driving basket for the Canons. Alier Pech then struck from outside to give UCU its narrow advantage at the end of the quarter.

Neither side created separation before the interval. Rezlife remained level with UCU when Hon Kwany converted in the final moments of the second quarter, sending the teams into the break with the score tied.

UCU began to pull clear after half-time. Jimmy Otim hit a three-pointer early in the third quarter, although Kwany replied with a jump shot for Rezlife. The Canons then took advantage of three open scoring opportunities late in the period to establish a 55-47 lead going into the final quarter.

Rezlife matched UCU 17-17 in the last quarter but could not overturn the eight-point deficit. The result confirmed the Canons in third place in the NBL playoffs, while the Saints finished behind them in the bronze-medal game.

Otim and Pech each scored 12 points for UCU, with Lwabaga adding 11. Kwany led all scorers with 17 points for Rezlife, followed by Chris Omanye on 15 and Edrine Ekau on 10.