KCCA Panthers scraped past Sommet, 55-52, at YMCA to pick up their first win of the National Basketball League second round on Saturday.
In a game that saw poor shooting with neither side putting the ball in the basket in the opening three minutes, it was KCCA that took the initiative.
After missing the opening seven shots, point guard Toussaint Mampuya got the Panthers on the scoreboard from deep and the side took control of the quarter, leading by as many as 11 points before Sommet rallied to make it a 5-point game (17-9) at the end of the period.
In the second quarter, Sommet took their turn in controlling the game with big man Fataki Nyembo running the floor well in semi-transitions along with Kasereka Tembo and Peter Cheng, who had the most productive stretch.
The Panthers took away the transition opportunities from Sommet in the third quarter and also went into the post to Ivan Lumanyika, turning the 5-point deficit early in the period into a tie game (37-37) going into the decisive final quarter.
Emmanuel Odongkara, who finished with a team-high 12 points, took charge in the fourth quarter, scoring half of KCCA’s 18 points.
Ceasar Kizito contributed 9 points for the Panthers (8-7) while Lumanyika picked a game high 13 rebounds to go with 9 points.
Meanwhile, Nyembo netted a game-high 19 points and grabbed 11 boards in a losing effort for Sommet (6-6). Cheng (12 points) and Mark Ngobi (11 points) also scored in double figures.
Saturday Results
- W: UCU Lady Canons 70-50 UPDF Lady Tomahawks
- W: Miracle Eaglets 53-63 JKL Lady Dolphins
- W: Nabisunsa 73-43 Nkumba Lady Marines
- M: Nam Blazers 66-52 VU Crocs
- M: Sommet 52-55 KCCA Panthers
Sunday Fixtures
- W: KIU Rangers vs Nabisunsa – 10 am
- W: Miracle Eaglets vs JT Lady Jaguars – 12 noon
- W: KCCA Leopards vs UCU Lady Canons – 2 pm
- M: KCCA Panthers vs JKL Dolphins – 4 pm
- M: VU Crocs vs UCU Canons – 6 pm
