By Isaac Akugizibwe,
Sports
Uganda’s female basketball national team, the Gazelles came from behind to beat Senegal 85-83 on Saturday evening in the ongoing Women Afrobasket tournament in Kigali Rwanda.
The Gazelles trailed 17-21 in the first quarter before recovering to claim the second quarter 18-17 and going all the way to lead in the third,22-18 and the four quarter 28-27, completing what was a remarkable redemption for team Uganda following a disappointing start to the tournament.
This was a much needed win for the Gazelles who fell to Mali in the opening game on Friday evening. They will now wait for the results between Mali and Senegal with less pressure as they look to build from this incredible showing.
The fact that the Gazelles have managed to overcome Senegal, the most successful nation at the tournament with 11 titles,gives Ugandans hope that maybe this could be the time to light up the continent.
Uganda’s Jane Aside was voted the most efficient player of the game with +23,after scoring 20 points,nine rebounds,three assists and two steals. She beat Senegal’s Aya Traore who had +22 ,29 points,four rebounds,two assists and five steals.
And once again,Jannon Jaye Otto led the scoring chart for Uganda with 21 points and five assists while Mellissa Akullo stole the show in rebounding with a double, 10 incredible rebounds.
Uganda now leads group C with three points with Mali and Senegal following respectively. The winner of each group will advance directly to the Quarter-Finals while the teams that finish second and third will battle in the Qualification Round to the Quarter-Finals on August 1,2023.
The battle between Mali and Senegal, which will be the final game of Group C, could determine which country tops the group. The two West African giants are brimming with talent, with players like Sika Kone (Mali) and Yacine Diop (Senegal) having the potential to do anything on a given day.
