NBL Payoffs: UCU Lady Canons sweep KIU Rangers to reach semifinals

The UCU Lady Canons have advanced to the National Basketball League Playoff Semifinals by sweeping the KIU Rangers, securing their spot with a 57-52 victory in Game 2 on Sunday evening at Lugogo Indoor Arena. This win was achieved after overcoming a double-digit halftime deficit.

KIU Rangers started strongly, controlling the first quarter with a 21-9 lead, but offensive production declined in the second quarter where both teams combined for only 16 points. The turning point came in the third quarter when the Lady Canons improved their offense, with Sylvia Nakituka hitting shots from deep, Matrina Anyango dominating in the post against Sharon Kirabo, and Zoe Atek and Shila Lamunu executing effective transitions. Lamunu tied the game at 35 with 1:24 left, and Anyango gave the Lady Canons a 37-35 lead to end the quarter. In the final period, the Rangers briefly regained a 6-point lead at 45-39, but the Lady Canons erased the deficit with three-pointers from Nakituka and Mariam Asacha, followed by Lamunu's layup for the lead, and maintained control as the Rangers exceeded the foul limit.

Shila Lamunu finished as the top scorer for the Lady Canons with 12 points, despite poor free-throw shooting (6-for-15). Sylvia Nakituka contributed 11 points, Matrina Anyango added 10, and Zoe Atek scored 9 points. For the KIU Rangers, Elizabeth Akol and Sharon Kirabo each scored a game-high 15 points in the loss.