UCU Lady Canons Survive KCCA Leopards Fightback to Open Semifinal Series with Win

The UCU Lady Canons have taken the opening advantage in the National Basketball League (NBL) playoff semifinals after securing a 79-71 victory over KCCA Leopards in Game One of their best-of-five series at the Lugogo Indoor Arena on Wednesday. The thrilling contest delivered an exciting display of women’s basketball, with both teams showcasing determination, attacking quality, and defensive discipline as they battled for a crucial first win in the race for a place in the championship final.

The semifinal showdown brought together two competitive sides with a strong desire to begin the series on a positive note. From the opening moments, the game lived up to expectations as both teams traded baskets and fought fiercely for control of the contest. UCU Lady Canons eventually gained the upper hand through a strong all-round performance, while KCCA Leopards showed resilience and continued to push until the final buzzer.

KCCA Leopards started the game with impressive intensity, immediately putting pressure on the Lady Canons and racing into a 7-0 lead in the opening minutes. The fast start gave the Leopards early momentum as they looked to dominate proceedings from the beginning. However, UCU responded through Sylivia Nantongo, who opened the Lady Canons’ scoring account with an easy layup. The basket helped settle UCU, who gradually found their rhythm and began matching KCCA’s pace. After a competitive opening quarter filled with quick transitions and strong defensive plays, the Lady Canons managed to take a narrow 23-20 lead.

The second quarter saw UCU Lady Canons gain greater control of the game as they improved their execution on both ends of the floor. Their defensive efforts restricted the Leopards’ attacking options, while their movement in possession created more scoring opportunities. UCU continued to build their advantage, with Igiraneza Christa Ciella delivering a crucial moment before halftime by sinking a three-pointer that extended the lead. The Lady Canons went into the break with a 45-35 advantage, having established a 10-point cushion.

After the restart, UCU maintained their momentum and continued applying pressure on KCCA Leopards. The Lady Canons displayed effective teamwork, combining accurate shooting with strong defensive work to keep their opponents chasing the game. Their ability to control the tempo allowed them to create their biggest lead of the night, opening a 16-point gap at 66-50 as they headed into the final quarter.

The Leopards, however, refused to surrender and produced a spirited response in the final period. Determined to fight their way back into the contest, KCCA increased their attacking intensity and began reducing the deficit. Former UCU Lady Canons player Tracy Namugosa played a significant role in the comeback attempt, combining with Ninette Uwineza to knock down important three-point shots that brought the Leopards back into contention and raised the pressure on UCU.

Despite KCCA Leopards’ strong finish, the Lady Canons remained focused during the decisive moments and managed to withstand the late challenge. UCU made key defensive stops and executed their plays effectively in the closing stages to protect their advantage and secure a valuable 79-71 victory. The win gives the Lady Canons a 1-0 lead in the semifinal series and places them in a strong position ahead of the next meeting.

Sylivia Nakituka led the scoring charts for UCU Lady Canons after producing an outstanding performance with 21 points. She received strong support from Sylivia Nantongo, who contributed 20 points, while Zoe Atek completed the double-digit scorers with 11 points. Their combined offensive contributions were instrumental in helping UCU overcome a determined KCCA Leopards side.

For KCCA Leopards, Tracy Namugosa was the standout performer, finishing with a team-high 23 points against her former team. Angella Zainah Lokwameri added 13 points, while Sherinah Mwenyango contributed 10 points as the Leopards’ other players to reach double figures. Despite their efforts, KCCA could not complete the comeback as UCU held firm to claim the opening victory.

Attention now turns to Game Two of the semifinal series, which is scheduled for Sunday, 26 July 2026 at the Lugogo Indoor Arena, with tip-off set for 12:00 pm. KCCA Leopards will be aiming to bounce back and level the series, while UCU Lady Canons will look to build on their winning start and take another step towards securing a place in the NBL playoff final.