2024 NBL Semifinals: KIU Rangers Fall Short in Game three
posted on Aug. 21, 2024, 7:48 a.m. - By Isaac Akugizibwe
KIU Rangers suffered a heartbreaking 52-48 defeat to UCU Lady Canons in game three of the 2024 National Basketball League Semifinal series at Lugogo indoor Arena on Tuesday.
The Rangers had fought from eight points down (29-21) at half time to go three points on top in the last two minutes of the game, only for UCU to capitalize on a few mistakes to punish Julius Lutwama's girls who also missed a couple of scoring opportunitiesin that time.
There were three missed jump shots and a layup that could have put the Rangers at a greater advantage with one minute on the clock, a time in which the lady Canons scored seven quick points including one stunning three pointer to claim the win.
That aside,KIU Rangers played very well through out the whole game despite finding it difficult to break through the Lady Canon's defense at times.
The Rangers' best shooter,Ines Kanyamuneza was tightly marked from the word go to finish and her failing to score meant a big toll on the team's efforts to find a way through.
The team was also out rebounded 53-37 which explains why the Lady Canons scored highly in the paint (16) and from second chances (11). This will be a big homework coming into game four on Thursday.
Sharon Kirabo and Florence Nanyonga scored in 11 points each to lead the team's scoring board while Sharon Nanyonga (6), Elizabeth Aguti (6) and Stella Nanfuka (5) lead the team's reboundingcontest.
