- Javon 50-72 Nkumba
The 2018 National Basketball League tipped-off on Saturday, May 12 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium, and first on the court was Nkumba Lady Marines taking on Javon Lady Phenons.
Led by last season’s MVP Brenda Ekone, Nkumba found little trouble putting away Javon who lost their star player Rhoda Naggita to UCU Lady Canons.
Maria Najjuma put the first points on the board with a lay-up, but Ekone who missed her first shot of the game responded quickly with help from Jackline Oyella and Catherine Haruri for Nkumba to surge ahead 16-6.
With no rotation to be made, Lady Marines put themselves in a position of comfort as they held ineffective Lady Phenoms to a mere 5 points in the second quarter, and led by 16 points going into the second half.
Save for Esther Apolot, the rest of the Lady Marines scored in double figures.
Ekone scored 18 points to go with 10 rebounds, Haruri matched game high 18 points while Susan Aanyu picked game high 19 rebounds to go with 13 points. Oyella had 17 points.
For Javon, Lillian Cherotich matched game high 18 points after playing the entire duration of the game. Joan Makanga (14 points) was the only other Lady Phenoms player to reach double-digit scoring.