- Senegal 88-53 Uganda
Uganda’s preparation for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket was far from ideal. From ilegibility issues to one of the dependeable players opting out at last minute, it was always going to be a difficult tournament for the Silverbacks.
And when the first jumpball went up at Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda, Uganda had just five players on the bench.
Senegal ran to a 30-point first quarter and the it was clear George Galanopoulos’ charges who responded with 18 were in for a tough afternoon.
The Silverbacks cleaned up defensively in the second and third quarter but the production at the offensive end was far from desirable. It was a poor shooting stretch sprinkled with turnovers, some unforced.
While John Deng Geu, one of the longest serving players on the roster, shone offensively with an efficient team-high 17 points and Naseef Lubowa, making his debut for the Silverbacks, lively, Jacksen Moni had a shooting slump going 4-for-16 from the floor.
Jonathan Komagum had a lone battle in the paint against against Gora Camara and Moustapha Dialo. Komagum pulled down a game high 14 rebounds to go with 8 points.
The fourth quarter belonged to Senegal who were led by 2025 Baskeball Africa League MVP Jean-Jaques Boissy off the bench and Makthar Gueye who netted 16 points each.
The Silverbacks return to action on Thursday to take on Mali at 4:30pm (EAT).