Basketball
Uganda out of Zone V
Komakech was one of the few star players that stood up to the plate as Egypt turned on the heat yesterday. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
Posted Thursday, January 24 2013 at 10:14
In Summary
Basketball. Guard Ben Komakech scored four three-pointers in the fourth quarter as Uganda closed in 75-65 with 1:19s to play but it was all in vain as Egypt reigned.
The opening victory over Tanzania became a distant memory as the men’s national basketball team lost two games, 14 hours apart, to bow out of the Fiba Africa Zone V Championship.
It all started to go wrong on Tuesday night as defending champions Rwanda beat Uganda 90-85 at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
Uganda had led 24-15 after the first quarter. Rwanda led 44-38 at mid-way point. However, Uganda trailed 82-84 with a minute to go.
With favourites Egypt, returning to the tournament for the first time since 2009, having emerged victors over Rwanda on the opening day, Uganda had to beat the North Africans to advance to the semi-finals.
A narrow two-point lead (22-20) after the first period must have raised hopes only for Egypt to win 80-67 in the humid coastal town yesterday.
Consequently, Uganda finished third in pool A and will only play in a classification game today.
The women are faring slightly better as they put behind the loss to Egypt to defeat Burundi 64-44 yesterday. The hosts Tanzania will be their next challenge today.
ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com
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