Resty Nanangwe advances the ball across the court | Credit: FIBA

For the first time in history, Uganda is through to the FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket semifinals.

The Junior Gazelles defeated Tunisia 69-53 on Wednesday thanks to a fourth-quarter defensive effort which limited the North Africans to just 7 points.

John Omondi’s charges had a good start to the game, winning the opening quarter 20-15.

Tunisia would assume the lead 3 minutes into the second quarter with a 6-0 run to start the period but Uganda regained control with Resty Nanangwe going to work for a 4-point (32-28) lead at the halftime break.

The Junior Gazelles stretched the lead to six points (36-30) early in the third quarter but Tunisia went on a 15-2 run to open a 7-point lead with just over 3 minutes to play in the quarter. Omondi called for a timeout and on return, the Ugandans erased the deficit and went into the fourth quarter leading by a point (47-46).

Resty Nanangwe elevates for a floating jump shot | Credit: FIBA

Junior Gazelles started the fourth quarter where they left off in the third with Shiphrah Kiranda sparking an 11-0 run that put the Ugandan in a double-digit lead midway through the quarter.

Nanangwe finished with a game-high 27 points, 8 rebounds and 7 steals. Immaculate Adongopiny had her best game of the tournament thus far with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 7 steals. Kiranda contributed 10 points and pulled down 9 rebounds while guard Modesta Anyango chipped in with 8 points and swipped 7 steals.

Modesta Anyango drives down the lane for a layup against Nour Horchani | Credit: FIBA

Nour Horchani (13 points) and Rim Arbi (10 points, 10 rebounds) were the top performers for Tunisia.

Semifinals

Uganda will face the winner between Egypt and Nigeria in the semifinals that will be played on Friday, September 13.

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