29 June 2023 | Basketball

• FIBA U16 Africa Zone V Qualifiers
• Wednesday, June 28, 2023
• Rwanda 56-59 Uganda

Junior Silverbacks picked their first win of the FIBA U16 Africa Zone V Qualifiers after edging hosts Rwanda in a heated duel.

Uganda started on the right note after registering a 59-56 victory against Rwanda at the LDK Gymnasium, Kigali.

Tejan Joel Rugette scored a game-high of 27 points and added 13 rebounds to post a thrilling double-double.

The game was treated to an amazing ambience that was put in place by the youthful crowd that turned up to rally behind their home boys.

Shortly after the game, Junior Silverbacks tactician Micheal Seger revealed the win is the first step towards a positive destination and he will only ask the boys to keep their eyes on the prize.

“The win tonight was big for our first game as we have two more to fight for. But tonight was the first step in the right direction as we seek to qualify for Afro Basket in Tunisia,” the gaffer noted.

“The game against Rwanda was challenging. The crowd was full but most of the fans were for the home team and I thought put up a great fight in such an ambience,” he added.

“Defensively it gave us a chance to remain in the game even if we made some unnecessary turnovers early. The boys were unselfish and played a team game switching and covering up each other.”

With only one spot up for grabs to go to Tunisia, the Junior Silverbacks will seek to fight for victories in the coming games to keep their chances much alive.

The boys will return to action today as they play against Burundi at 8 pm in the LDK Gymnasium Arena, Kigali.

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