The Gazelles are rewriting history—and they’ve done it again on the biggest stage of African women’s basketball.
Uganda’s national women’s basketball team pulled off a monumental 73–70 overtime victory against Senegal, the most decorated team on the continent, to book their place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Côte d’Ivoire.
This wasn’t just another win. It was a statement—a repeat of their dramatic 2023 upset over Senegal. But this time, the stakes were higher, the spotlight bigger, and the message clear: Uganda is no longer the underdog.
A Game of Grit, Heart, and History
It all began with a rough start. Senegal exploded out of the gates with a 9–0 run, threatening to overwhelm the East Africans. But the Gazelles didn’t panic.
They responded with calm and character. Hope Akello got Uganda on the scoreboard with a three-pointer, and by the end of the first quarter, Claire Lamunu had sunk a buzzer-beating shot to give Uganda a one-point lead.
By halftime, Uganda had completely flipped the script, leading 37–28 after a dominant second quarter marked by quick ball movement and sharpshooting.
Senegal came roaring back in the third quarter with a 21–8 run, reclaiming the lead and shifting momentum in their favor. But the Gazelles held their nerve.
In the dying seconds of regulation, with Uganda trailing by three, Paige Robinson stepped up and nailed a clutch three-pointer to level the game at 61–61. Senegal had two last-second chances to seal it but missed both — and the game went into overtime.
In a tense and physical overtime, Uganda outscored Senegal 12–9, showing composure and grit when it mattered most. The Gazelles clinched a 73–70 win, topping Group C and advancing directly to the quarterfinals.
