Uganda's Gazelles set a quarterfinal date with East African rivals Rwanda following Tuesday night’s 78-62 victory over DR Congo in the classification round of the Women's Afrobasket going on in Kigali. It is the first time Uganda women’s basketball team has advanced to the knockout stage of the prestigious continental tournament. ALSO READ: Uganda’s magic moment and key highlights from Day Two of Women’s Afrobasket In the first half, the Gazelles faced a scrappy battle, committing 14 turnovers, shooting 6-of-13 from the line, and missing easy layups. However, they turned things around in the third quarter, implementing a full-court press that troubled the Congolese and allowed them to build a double-digit lead. By the fourth quarter, the team tactfully slowed down the offense, extending their lead to as many as 23 points with less than 4 minutes to play. Coach Alberto Antuna took advantage of the commanding lead and granted playing time to Ritah Imanishimwe and Evelyn Nakiyingi, who made their tournament debut. ALSO READ: Women's Afrobasket 2023: Rwanda, Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria secure quarter-final spots Janon Otto led the charge with her impressive mid-range game, amassing a game-high 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists. Jane Asinde, despite dealing with 3 fouls in the second half, matched the game-high with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Additionally, Claire Lamunu (12 points and 14 rebounds) and Melissa Akullu (10 points and 9 rebounds) also contributed with double-figure scoring. Youngster Lydia Babirye shined with 11 assists, including a highlight reel pass to Akullu from half-court. She also added 7 points to the tally. Hope Akello played a significant role with 11 rebounds and 6 points. Throughout the game, Uganda held the lead for an impressive 25 minutes and 46 seconds, displaying their dominance on the court. Despite DRC's efforts, Gracia Nguz led the team's losing effort with 15 points off the bench, while point guard Ketia Mbelu contributed 13 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Coach Alberto Antuna's team will now face hosts Rwanda in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, August 2, at 6 pm as they continue their quest for the semifinals. WATCH: Uganda coach Alberto Carlos Antuna Leal and point guard Jannon Jaye Otto share their excitement after qualifying for the quarterfinals. They express their expectations as they gear up to face hosts #Rwanda in the upcoming clash on Wednesday at 6PM. : @MugwizaO /TNT pic.twitter.com/JV3DMsifRv — The New Times (Rwanda) (@NewTimesRwanda) August 1, 2023 In other classification round fixtures, Guinea beat Angola 71-69 while Egypt suffered a shock 60-71 defeat to Senegal. Mozambique progressed to the final eight stage after thrashing Cote d’Ivoire 70-48. Quarterfinal fixtures get underway on Wednesday as follow: Cameroon Vs Senegal 12:00PM Mali Vs Guinea 3:00PM Rwanda Vs Uganda 6:00PM Nigeria Vs Mozambique 9:00PM
