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Victoria University back in NBL

Victoria University players celebrate after booking a ticket to the National Basketball League. PHOTO/COURTESY  

What you need to know:

The victory, inspired by Joseph Kumbai’s double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds in 24 minutes, saw Victoria close the series with a clean 3-0 sweep.

Victoria University Crocs became the first team to book a place in next season’s National Basketball League following Wednesday night’s 72-53 win over Uganda Martyrs University Flames at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

The victory, inspired by Joseph Kumbai’s double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds in 24 minutes, saw Victoria close the series with a clean 3-0 sweep.

With the sweep, Victoria University are back in the top flight for the first time since their relegation in 2022. 

The Crocs had earlier taken Game One 56-51 and Game Two 77-51 to get within touching distance of a promotion slot.

And despite UMU’s first half effort on Wednesday, Victoria were simply the better side down the stretch and managed to avoid prolonging the series.

Roger Sserunyigo’s charges got out of the blocks early, dominating the paint, but it was UMU that ended the first quarter with a one-point lead (16-15).

Victoria then responded by claiming the second quarter 16-10 to go into the half-time break with a 31-26 lead.

There was no turning back thereafter, with Kumbai giving the Crocs the much-needed paint presence and Cyrus Wobusobozi finding the right passes to facilitate the team’s offense.

The Crocs dominated the third frame 23-14 and took the fourth 18-13 to close the game and send their sizable number of fans into wild celebrations.

Ronald Ayume scored 17 points and collected three rebounds for the Crocs while Wobusobozi had 11 points, six rebounds and nine assists on the night.

UMU struggled to get going offensively and only had John Otuko scoring in double digits. Joshua Duallo collected a massive 22 rebounds and added eight points but these were not enough for the Nkozi based side to stretch the series.

Meanwhile Rezlife Saints will be looking to win their series against UPDF Tomahawks to book the second and last slot into the top-flight. With a 2-0 lead in the five-game series, the Saints can book their slot with victory over the army side tonight.

In the women’s division, Angels defeated Our Savior 51-46 to take Game Three and lead the series 2-1.

Fuba Division One Playoffs

Results

Men

Victoria 72-53 UMU (3-0)

Women

Our Savior 46-51 Angels (1-2)

Playing Friday, YMCA

Women

Nkumba vs. Amazon Rhino, 6pm

Men

Rezlife vs. UPDF, 8pm