UCU Open final:
UCU Canons 74-57 Warriors
Home side UCU Canons defeated Warriors 74-57 to win the 7th edition of the Uganda Christian University invitational tournament at the university main campus on Sunday.
Encouraged by the thrilling home crowd, Nick Natuhereza’s charges beat the odds to trounce a new look Warriors in the climax of the two-day event.
Steven Wundi, eventual top scorer of the tournament, scored 13 of UCU’s 15 points in the first quarter as the hosts took a 6-point lead (15-09) going into the second quarter.
Joshua Etalu opened the second quarter with a foul basket but missed from the charity line as Warriors looked to keep the Canons in close range.
Syrus Kivili, Ceaser Kizito and new signing Mike Bazangu put in a good shift in the second quarter albeit Wundi’s hot hand kept the Canons in charge.
Kivili’s 3-pointer early in the third gave Warriors their first and only lead (39-38) but Wundi replied second after to send the home crowd into early celebrations.
Brian Namake and Jonathan Egau dictated the tempo of the game in the final 10 minutes with Warriors introduction Jude Ochen failing to find the right shots.
Warriors new recruits Bazangu, Saidi Amisi, Stanley Mugerwa, Aaron Ajoo and Daniel Gaaki all showed glimpses of brilliance in the team’s futile chase for a first piece of silverware this year.
Ronnie Mutebi’s charges were without Kenyan international Philip Ameny.
UCU had defeated Power in the semifinals while Warriors overcame KIU Titans.
KIU finished third with victory over Power in the third place classification game.
Namake was voted as the MVP of the tournament while Wundi took the top scorer’s accolade.
In the ladies’ category, UCU Lady Canons, led by eventual MVP, Vilma Achieng, defeated KCCA Leopards to ensure the trophy stayed in Mukono.