National Basketball League 2018
KIU Titans 65-67 BetWay Power
MTN Arena, Lugogo
Friday, 06-07-2018
League leaders BetWay Power survived a fourth quarter onslaught by KIU Titans to win their opening game of the 2018 NBL season second round on Friday.
In the only Men’s game played at the MTN Arena, Power looked to be cruising to a comfortable victory as they led 57-44 going into the final 10 minutes but had to endured a fourth quarter battering to win 67-65 at the sound of the final buzzer.
KIU started strongly, racing into a 5-0 lead at the start of the first quarter thanks to a Sudi Ulanga three and Micheal Bwanga’s layup.
However, Power responded positively by scoring the next six points on route to a 23-16 lead at the end of the quarter.
Both side come from the break with offensive intentions as they traded baskets at the start of the second but Power who looked to be growing stronger by each passing minutes took the initiative midway the quarter and in process won it 19-15 and increased their lead to 11 at half time.
The third quarter was more of a contest but still KIU lost it 13-15 and with Power holding a 13 point lead, it looked like they would just see out the fourth and take their record to 11-1 for the season.
Despite Francis Kasinde increasing the lead to 14 by converting one of his two throws at the start of the fourth, KIU responded strongly, going on a run of 10-03 with just over five minutes to play and in process reducing the lead to just seven points.
With 00:52 on the clock, Ethienne Kazung threw down a lay up to bring KIU to within one points of Power (65-66) but that was the best they did as Power ensured that they don’t succumb to a second loss of the season.
Former Titans Geoffrey Soro registered his first double-double of the season with a game high 19 points and 10 rebounds for Power. Fahmy Ssebatindira and captain Joseph Ikong where the other players who reached double figures for Power in terms of points with 10 and 15 respectively.
For KIU, they also also had three players in double figures in terms of points as Micheal Bwanga, Sudi Ulanga and Chris Omanye registered 16,10 and 13 respectively.
The loss means that KIU have now lost three of their first 11 games of the season.
The University side have lost twice to Power and a disappointing 46-47 loss to Sharing Youth on May 26th.
For Power, they continue their fine start to the current campaign, having won 11 of their first 12 games with the only loss coming against Giant slayers Ndejje Angels.
In the Ladies divison JKL Lady Dolphins registered a 39-66 victory over Magic Stomers.
JKL, the only unbeaten side in the league led all quarters in a dominant victory: winning 14-16, 6-13, 8-23 and 11-14 in order of the quarters.
This, is JKL’s eighth victory of the ongoing season and the side remain the stronger favourites for the top gong.
The defeat is the fifth for John Omondi’s Magic Stomers.
Jamila Nansikombi led the charges with 13 points. Hope Akello and Ritah Imanishimwe added 11 points each, in the victory.
Youngster Jane Asinde scored a game high 17 points from her 5-14 shooting from the field but her efforts were not enough to stop a high flying JKL.
