Warriors beat reckless Canons

Bazangu (left) showed flashes of his old self as he contributed a team-high 16 points for the Warriors. PHOTO BY Ismail KEZAALA

KAMPALA.

With no team having played more than three games in the National Basketball League, most are growing their way into this domestic league season.

Pemba Warriors on Friday showed they are doing the better job thus far by defeating an edgy UCU Canons 65-60 at the Lugogo MTN Arena.

The victory was the second in as many games for the Kyambogo-based side who also swept past Our Saviour 57-44.

“We believe we are title contenders but are taking each game at a time. We’ve been training well so it is now the time to show it in games,” Phillip Ameny had said before the game.

Veteran Michael Buzangu while not still the same player who first appeared at Falcons showed flashes of his enduring ability with a team high 16 points and five assists as his team clinched the opening period 20-14.

The UCU Canons fought back as they are wont to do with Fadhil Chuma leading the charge with a game high 18 points and 10 rebounds. They went into the final period level at 51 points, but once forward Brian Namake, who has emerged as a leader of the university side fouled out, the Canons went scoreless for the final three minutes.

“The bottom line is we did not execute well,” admitted UCU Canons coach Nicholas Ntuhereza before criticising what appeared a curious call made by the umpire as his team trailed by three with 01:47 left.

“When a bad call goes against you with less than two minutes to go and the other team scores on the subsequent possession it obviously affects you,” he said in reference to a foul called in his team’s favour before it was bizarrely overturned.

The Canons have now lost twice in three games with their only victory coming against Sharing Youth.

Friday results
Warriors 65-60 Canons
Lady Canons 56-27 Lioness

Fixtures today
UPDF vs Ndejje Angles
KIU Titans vs Sharing Youth
City Oilers vs Our Saviour
Women
Javon vs Magic Stormers
Gladiators vs KCCA Leopards