National Basketball League 2018
Wednesday, 18-07-2018
YMCA Court, Wandegeya
-KIU Titans 63-60 UCU Canons
-UPDF Tomahawks 68-80 Ndejje Angels
WANDEGEYA – KIU Titans produced a fourth quarter scintillating display to defeat rivals UCU Canons 63-60 in the FUBA National Basketball league on Wednesday evening.
The Kansanga based side were trailing by as many as 10 points at the start of the last quarter but managed to power their way to a ninth victory of the season.
Both sides started slowly and managed only 16 points between themselves in the first quarter with KIU winning it 10-06.
The game gained momentum in the second as UCU Canons come out strongly, registering the first points of the quarter thanks to Isaiah Arter’s layup and eventually winning it 22-13 and taking a five point lead at half-time with the score board reading 28-23 in favour of the Mukono based side.
At the start of the third, UCU stretched their lead to eight points thanks to Fadhili Chuma’s three points inside the first two minutes.
Despite KIU reducing the deficit to within four points at some stage, UCU managed to hold a six point lead going into the final quarter as the scores read 42-36 in their favour.
The lead was increased to 10 at the start of the fourth when David Deng converted both of his free-throws after Joseph Chuma fouled him and then Derrick Isiko sank a layup.
The Titans then woke-up with Micheal Bwanga, Oscar Muge, Wilson Otweno, Collins Kasujja and the returning Chris Omanyi all contributing vital plays on course to a 27-18 win of the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter display ment that the Titans had won the game by three points with the scores reading 63-60 at the sound of the final buzzer.
Chris Omanyi led KIU in terms of scoring with 13 points on the night, adding five rebounds, three assists and two steals to his game.
Only Oscar Muge (10) was the other starter to reach double figures in terms of points for KIU with substitute Otweyo grabbing 12.
UCU’s Fadhili Chuma top scored on the night with 18 points. David Deng (11) and Isaiah Arter (13) were the others to reach double figures in terms of points for the Mukono based side.
The victory elevates KIU to third; the side has now won nine games so far, with four losses.
UCU (5-7) drops to the bottom having suffered seven losses overall (including two by forfeit against Warriors).
KIU will take on KCCA Men on July 21st as UCU will play Charging Rhino on July 28th.
In the other game, following their loss to JKL Dolphins recently, Ndejje University Angels managed to return to winning ways with a convincing 80-68 victory over UPDF Tomahawks at the same venue.
Innocent Ochera scored 18, Peter Ssefuma and Salim Kisily added 14 and 10 points respectively in the victory.
UPDF’s Okoth Henry’s game high of 23 points were not enough to prevent the army side from succumbing to their eleventh loss of the campaign.
Felix Mukunzi and Donald Blick added 13 and 10 points respectively, for Baker Kyambadde’s Tomahawks.
Action resumes this Friday at Lugogo Indoor Arena as Betway Power takes on City Oilers while KIU Rangers will curtain raise the occasion with A1 Challenge, in the ladies category.
