Nabayunga registered a team-high 15 points and eight rebounds, while Namugosa contributed a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds to go with six assists.
UCU Lady Canons had just seven players for Friday’s clash with the KIU Rangers due to injuries to some of the key players.
The National Basketball League defending champions relied on the few available players to overcome a battling Rangers side 66-63 in Friday’s first game at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
UCU started on the front foot and took the first quarter 25-15 to set the pace.
Tracy Namugosa, Azidah Nabayunga and Bridget Aber dominated the first stages of the game as the Lady Canons maintained a double-digit difference.
KIU, however, fought back with pressure defence forcing the university side into mistakes.
What had been a 10-point lead was reduced to four going into the halftime break, with KIU getting momentum and scoring runs in the second quarter.
The Kansanga-based outfit then dominated the third frame, 25-12, to lead by nine points going into the final quarter.
Diana Letaru had connected from range to give KIU a one-point lead (35-34) with 7.33 on the clock before Ines Kanyamunza sank another triple midway through the third frame.
But a 9-0 run for the defending champions to start the fourth frame levelled matters (55-55) with 6.53 on the clock, and from there on, it became a see-saw game, and anyone’s to win.
The Rangers got going with Sharon Kirabo’s pull-up jumper, resurrecting the team’s offence in the final quarter.
With 2.34 left on the clock, Bridget Aber made one of two free throws to tie the game (60-60), and the Lady Canons held on for the victory.
Shilla Lamunu was robbed of possession by Letaru, who then went on to score on the other end and give the Rangers a three-point lead with 1.27 left on the clock.
The lead didn’t last, though, as Millicent Otieno sank a layup before Namugosa and Lamunu added crucial free throws to settle the contest.
Four of the five starters for Nicholas Natuhereza’s side scored in double figures.
Nabayunga registered a team-high 15 points and eight rebounds, while Namugosa contributed a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds to go with six assists.
Aber also recorded a double-double of 11 points and as many rebounds, while Otieno had 12 points and five rebounds.
Lamunu came off the bench to add a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds.
For the Rangers, Letaru contributed a game-high 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Kirabo added 15 points and 13 rebounds.
The victory saw Lady Canons improve to a 5-2 record while the Rangers dropped to 2-3.
National Basketball League
Result
KIU Rangers 63-66 UCU Lady Canons
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)