FUBA National Basketball League
MTN Arena, Lugogo
Friday, 14-09-2018
-KIU Titans 83-61 City Oilers
-JKL Dolphins 57-64 BetWay Power
-UCU Lady Canons 81-53 KCCA Leopards
LUGOGO – KIU Titans let their intentions known as they powered to a 22 point victory over six time FUBA National Basketball League defending champions City Oilers.
The Kansanga based side lead from start to finish to win game one of the best of five series 83-61 at the MTN Arena in Lugogo.
How the action unfolded:
KIU Titans went on the offensive right for the initial whistle, racing into a 6-0 lead inside the first minute of the contest, thanks to Micheal Bwanga and Denis Balungu threes.
From there throughout the first quarter, both sides traded baskets en route to KIU winning it 24-13.
The second started more like the first with KIU’s Chris Omanyi and Samuel Agutu scoring the first five points of the quarter as the Kansanga based side increased their lead to 15 with the scoreboard reading 28-13.
At halftime, the defending champions trailed by 10 as the scores were 39-29.
The third started slowly for both sides with Oilers scoring the first points through National team Captain Stephen Omony’s three off a jump shot over two minutes into the quarter.
However, KIU took the initiative again, going on a 5-0 run three times and winning it 19-14.
In the last ten minutes, it was more of KIU seeing out the game despite conceding the first two points as Oilers Landry Ndikumana sank both of his two free throws.
At the sound of the buzzer, KIU led by as many as 22 and won the game 83-61.
Denis Balungu scored a game high 21 points, adding four rebounds and two assists to his game. Micheal Bwanga (15), Chris Omanyi (13) and Samuel Agutu (13) were the others who reached double figures (points) for KIU on the night.
For Oilers, Landry Ndikumana was only a point off another double double for the seasoan, managing nine points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort. Only Jimmy Enabu (13) and Stephen Omony (12) managed to reach double figures in terms of points for the defending champions.
This is the third straight victory for KIU over Oilers after losing last year’s final 4-0.
The Titans defeated Mandy Juruni’s side 94-79 and 72-57 in regular season to complete an early double.
The other game in the Men’s division saw regular season winners BetWay Power defeat JKL Dolphins 64-57.
Captain Joseph Ikong scored a team high 18 points with Juma Anin (11) and Stephen Wundi (13) also in double figures for Power.
For JKL, Makala Libe scored a game high 25 points and also saw Brian Namake manage 11 of his own in the losing effort.
Power now leads the best of five series 1-0.
In the Women’s division, Sarah Ageno scored a game high 18 points as her UCU Lady canons’ side blew away KCCA Leopards 81-53 to take a 1-0 lead in their semi final.
The Playoff semi finals continue this weekend.
