2026 National Basketball League | Men | Friday May 15
- Sommet Basketball Club 67-55 UCU Canons
UCU Canons fought back from a poor first half to defeat Sommet Basketball Club 67-55 on Friday night at the Lugogo Indoor Arena, completing a season double over the Albert Aciko coached side in the National Basketball League.
After narrowly winning the first round meeting 67-66 at YMCA in February, the Canons once again found a way past Sommet, this time through a dominant second half comeback.
The game began with a minute of silence in honour of fallen young basketball player Maxine Modesta Anyango, who was featuring for St Noa Girls School and the Gazelles.
Sommet started the brighter side, Joseph Chuma and Brighton Galiwango inspired an energetic opening quarter as UCU struggled to settle into the contest.
Despite efforts from Zachariah Ekirapa and Jimmy Otim, the Canons looked tense and disconnected while Sommet steadily pulled away.
Chuma and Andrew Ssendaula continued to trouble UCU as Sommet closed the opening quarter with a deserved 15-8 lead.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern, Sommet’s defence forced turnovers and rushed decisions, allowing Darren Ainembabazi and Galiwango to stretch the lead further.
A three pointer from Ainembabazi after a turnover gave Sommet a commanding 23-8 advantage, with UCU still searching for their first points of the quarter.
Ekirapa eventually ended the drought for the Canons, but Sommet remained comfortable through contributions from John Focus Teko, Matthew Kisakye and Galiwango.
By halftime, Sommet were firmly in control at 32-17, but UCU returned from the break looking like a different team.
Alier Pech Lier Jongroor sparked the fightback before Marvin Jesse Okurut hit back to back three pointers to cut the deficit and shift momentum.
Even when Sommet stretched the lead to 40-24, UCU refused to give up.
Daniel Muganzi brought fresh energy into the game, attacking the basket aggressively and converting important free throws as the gap quickly narrowed.
Then came Flore Dushime’s big moment, the forward scored crucial points late in the third quarter, including a three-pointer that tied the game at 44-44 with less than a minute left.
Although Ssendaula briefly restored Sommet’s lead, the pressure had clearly shifted.
UCU carried that momentum into the final quarter. Otim gave the Canons their first lead from the free throw line before Dushime and Luhimi Jimmy stretched the advantage.
Moments later, Otim buried a three pointer that pushed UCU nine points ahead and left Sommet chasing the game.
Sommet struggled to respond as their early rhythm disappeared under UCU’s defensive pressure.
There was brief tension on the sidelines after UCU head coach Nick Natuhereza received a technical foul following a disagreement with officials, but the Canons remained composed to close out the game.
Okurut finished with 14 points for UCU Canons while Otim added 12. Ekirapa and Dushime also reached double figures (11).
For Sommet, only Galiwango and Teko finished in double digits with 13 and 12 points respectively.
Earlier in the Women’s National Basketball League, UCU Lady Canons defeated Magic Stormers 57-42.
League action continues on Saturday at YMCA in Wandegeya with Angels facing Pearl Queens before, KCCA Leopards locking horns with Nabisunsa Girls and UPDF Lady Tomahawks taking on JT Lady Jaguars.
In the men’s division, UMU Flames will play City Oilers before Namuwongo Blazers face UPDF Tomahawks.
