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Uganda’s junior Gazelles lost to Nigeria 71-67 in the semi finals of the FIBA U18 women’s Afrobsket in Pretoria, SouthAfrica.
There was more at stake than a spot in the finals of the tournament with direct qualification to next year’s FIBA U18 World Cup now taken up by the two finalists Nigeria and Mali who beat Cameroon 103-45 in the other semis.
Uganda came into the game as favourites, having defeated nigeria 80-64 in the group stage, and the wes Africans had only made it to the knockouts as one of the two third best teams along with Rwanda but didn’t look like underdogs at any quarter during the game leading all the way from the first quarter.
A 6pt lead at half time (45-39) looked like a possible come back for Uganda but Nigeria further maintained their lead to walk into the final quater with a 5 point lead.
Idubamo Beggi finished with a game high of 23points whilst Uganda’s Christine Namyalo and Bushira Namayanja combined for 26points with each scoring 13.
Resty Nanangwe (16), Christine Namyalo (13) & Bushira Namayanja (13) all scored in double digits
The Junior gazelles can still finish off their trip of SouthAfrica on a high when they face Cameroon in the 3rd place play off on Saturday.
