Kigali, Rwanda -- The Vanguard women's basketball season is inching closer to the start line and one of their own certainly had quite the summer.  Melissa Akullu was joined by VU alum Claire Lamunu on the Ugandan women's national team that participated in the 2023 FIBA AfroBasket Tournament in Rwanda.  The duo were impactful in helping Uganda pull off an upset of Senegal (the eventual runnersup) in the group stage and getting to the quarterfinals before falling to Rwanda 66-61.  Uganda eventually finished seventh out of the 12 countries that participated.  Despite falling short of the podium places, Akullu related that the experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
 
"Going home to represent my country is something that I was extremely excited about," relayed Akullu.  "The pride of wearing my country's name across my chest is something I will forever cherish!  The 12 ladies who competed showed tenacity and grit.  We were playing for more than just ourselves but for the thousands of Ugandans behind us!  That in itself was a blessing.  To crown the experience, the team made history by finishing seventh in the continent for the first time.  So thankful to God for the team, the coaching staff, and the fans!"
  
Akullu was second on the team in points in the loss to Rwanda, going 6-11 from the floor and 4-for-5 from the free throw line for 16 points.  Akullu was also tied for the team-high in total rebounds with 13, leading the squad with seven offensive boards. Akullu shot 54% from the field and had an efficiency rating of +23 in the contest.  Overall, Akullu finished 31st out of all players at the event in points per game (9.2), tied for fourth in rebounds per game at 9.3, and ended tied for second in total rebounds acquired with 56.   In total, Akullu put up 55 points, had a +14.7 efficiency rating for the event, averaged 28.1 minutes per night, and shot at a 52.3% rate.
  
Lamunu had six points and five rebounds against Rwanda in 27:02 minutes of playing time.  Over the course of the tournament, Lamunu averaged 21.3 minutes and 8.7 rebounds, leading the team by averaging seven defensive rebounds per game.  She shot 52.4% from the floor and netted 51 points, had 1.7 assists per game, and posted an efficiency rating of +14.8.  She was also one of the better rebounders in the tournament, finishing seventh in rebounds per game with 8.7 and fourth in total boards with 52.
  
The effort by the two put Uganda first overall in total rebounds for the tournament (337), first in defensive boards (234), and second in offensive rebounds (103, Mali was first with 104).  The tournament is held every two years so Akullu and company will have to wait until 2025 to try to take the country into the semifinals.