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The Uganda Gazelles paid the price for a poor offensive run down the stretch. They lost 80-66 to Mali in their opening game of the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket 2023 Friday afternoon in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Gazelles competed with Africa’s second-ranked team but were dealt a big blow when Jannon Otto, the team’s primary scorer, hobbled off with muscle cramps in the fourth quarter.
Uganda started on the front foot and led 19-16 after the first quarter but were pegged back 21-14 in the second to trail 37-33 at halftime.
Mali’s full court troubled Uganda all through the game and Otto’s situation did not help matters.
The West Africans took the third and fourth frames 21-16 and 22-17 respectively to win by 14 points.
Uganda’s troubles were compounded with head coach Alberto Antuna’s second technical that sent him for an early shower with five minutes left on the game.
Otto led Uganda’s offensive charge, scoring 19 points while Brenda Ekone added 12. Claire Lamunu came off the bench to contributw 10 points and nine rebounds in 14 minutes.
Melissa Akullu has eight points and 10 rebounds on her international debut for Uganda. Djeneba N’Diaye’s game-high 25 points set the ball rolling for Mali while Fatoumata Sanou added 15 to complete the job.
Uganda’s attention is now on their clash with Senegal on Sunday.
FIBA Women’s Afrobasket 2023
Result
Mali 80-66 Uganda
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