Game Report: Jane Asinde dropped 28 points as Uganda bounced back with a dominant win at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 Qualifiers. A blistering second-quarter run and improved shooting powered their statement victory. Can they keep the momentum?
Last Updated on
February 10, 2025
Uganda roared back to winning ways in emphatic style, spearheaded by an electrifying performance from Jane Asinde at the FIBA Women's AfroBasket Zone 5 Pre-Qualifiers. The talented forward was simply unstoppable, lighting up the scoreboard with 28 points while grabbing nine rebounds, ensuring her team claimed their second win in three outings.
After a disappointing showing against Egypt, Nicholas Natuhereza's squad made the necessary adjustments, particularly from beyond the arc. Their 7-of-21 shooting from deep was a vast improvement from their previous outing, where they had managed only two three-pointers. But it wasn't just about long-range shooting—Uganda's dominance extended to all facets of the game.
The 2023 AfroBasket seventh-placed team imposed their will inside, outmuscling their opponents 38-26 in the paint. Their relentless hustle was also evident in second-chance opportunities (23-10) and fast breaks (22-9), numbers that underscored their superior intensity and execution.
The turning point came in the latter stages of the second quarter. Trailing 33-28, Uganda unleashed a blistering 15-0 run that completely shifted the contest in their favor. From that moment on, they dictated the tempo and never relinquished control.
Though their opponents fought hard in the second half—winning the third and fourth quarters 20-18 and 18-15, respectively—it wasn’t enough to tilt the balance. Foul trouble for three key players further dented their chances of mounting a comeback.
"After yesterday's loss we had to forget what happened and get focused. We started much better than against Egypt and I am happy that we shot better from three, defended really well and that gave us the opportunity to get easy baskets in transition," Natuhereza said in the post-game press conference.
For Alberto Antuna, who previously led Uganda at the 2023 Women’s AfroBasket, there were positives to take despite the defeat.
"I am still proud of these girls. We have to understand that we are still in the process of building a team and playing against the seventh-best team on the continent was tough. However, we need to improve our match management and adapt to the situation on the court. Our second half was a great show of resilience and we will build on that in our next game," he added.
With this victory, Uganda sent a strong message to the rest of the competition, proving they are more than capable of bouncing back from setbacks. As for their opponents, the challenge will be to regroup, sharpen their execution, and find a way to stay competitive in their upcoming matchups.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
