Results | Thursday, February 16
- Kenya 69-58 Rwanda
- Uganda 74-53 South Sudan
Fixtures | Friday, February 17
- Rwanda vs. Egypt – 5:00 pm
- South Sudan vs. Kenya – 8:00 pm
Uganda Gazelles gave themselves a chance of playing for a ticket to the AfroBasket 2023 after beating South Sudan 74-53 on Thursday night.
As was the case against Egypt the previous day, the game against South Sudan was a must-win for the hosts, who treated it as such.
Uganda had a good mix of sets and transition through Brenda Ekon who troubled South Sudan getting several of their players in foul trouble, with two – Adut Bulgak and Anegor Wol – eventually fouling out.
South Sudan head coach Ebony Hoffman could have been tossed after repeated protests for some missed calls on offense as the game boiled out of control with tempers flaring for a few minutes.
Hope Akello (14 points & rebounds) alongside Maria Najjuma who had an improved performance with a double-double of 10 points and a game-high 18 rebounds (11 offensive) dominated the key.
Jannon Otto who had an offensive explosion the previous night finished with a quiet 13 points to go with 7 rebounds and 3 assists while skipper Flavia Oketcho was a defensive menace for South Sudan’s backcourt, especially Nyamuoch Pidor Teny. Flirsh, as she’s fondly known, contributed 8 points and swiped 5 steals.
Rose Akon Macuei, who featured for the UCU Lady Canons last season, was the only South Sudan player to score in double figures. She finished 15 points, 17 rebounds and 4 steals but coughed up the ball 7 times.
The Gazelles will take Friday and return to action against Rwanda on Saturday in their last round-robin game.
South Sudan will be back on the floor tonight to take on Kenya.
