Kaluma's Run in AfroBasket 2021 Ends As Uganda Falls in Quarterfinals

KIGALI, Rwanda -- Creighton freshman Arthur Kaluma had 18 of his team-leading 21 points after halftime to lead a spirited comeback, but it wasn't enough as Cape Verde eliminated Uganda with a 79-71 victory in the quarterfinals of the AfroBasket 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda.

Kaluma and his team started slowly, falling behind 10-2 in the opening minutes, but rallied to close within 24-20 at the end of the initial quarter. Uganda opened the second quarter on an 8-0 spurt to take its first lead at 28-24, but would trail 43-35 at the end of the first half.

Uganda fell behind by as much as 15 points (56-41) in the third quarter before Kaluma made a three-pointer to initiate another rally of nine straight points for the Silverbacks. The Bluejay freshman made three trifectas in the third quarter, but Cape Verde still led 61-51 after 30 minutes.

Kaluma's fourth triple of the game brought Uganda within 68-65 with 5:19 to play, but the Silverbacks missed a pair of game-tying three-point attempts and Cape Verde was able to hold off Uganda down the stretch.

Kaluma made 8-of-16 field goal attempts to score his 21 points, adding three rebounds in 33 minutes. After shooting just 1-of-15 from downtown to open the tournament, Kaluma made 4-of-8 three-pointers on Thursday. Kaluma finished the tournament averaging 13.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game.

NBA center Edy Tavares led Cape Verde with 23 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots. One of the 7-foot-3 giant's blocks came in the first half when he swatted an aggressive dunk attempt by Kaluma, who took off from just inside the free throw line.

Uganda ends its AfroBasket 2021 trip with a 2-3 record following its first trip to the quarterfinals. Cape Verde will play defending champion Tunisia on Saturday at 7 a.m. Central.

Kaluma's Run in AfroBasket 2021 Ends As Uganda Falls in Quarterfinals

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