UCU Canons 104-92 KIU Titans, OT
Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons scored 19 overtime points compared to KIU Titans’ 7 to gain advantage in their best of five semifinal series.
The Kansanga side got off to a slow start allowing UCU to take off with a 10-2 lead early into the first quarter.
But, inspired by Norman Blick, they got back into the game with his 3 pointer leveling matters at 18 all before taking their first lead of the game (20-19).
From that point, the game was balanced but UCU went into half time with a five point advantage (43-38).
Blick started the second half with two quick basket with one coming from three point range to bring the Titans back into the game.
The Canons managed to edge Hamza Nyambogo’s charges by 2 points (22-20) to go into the last quarter with a 7 point advantage.
The last quarter brought the best out of KIU as they edged their opponents 27-20.
Chris Omanye’s lay up with seven seconds to go leveled the game at 85 all.
Canons’ coach Nick Natuhereza then called for a timeout after which the ball was inbounded to Innocent Odour, he could not find the basket and an extra five minutes were required to separate the two University sides.
With Ivan Lumanyika fouled out, Desmond Owili started off the extra minutes with a monster dunk after a spin on center Henry Malinga before later fouling out too following a double foul called on him and Geoffrey Soro.
Jonah Egau and Brian Namake’s tear drops extended the Canons lead before Blick and Soro fouled out to make things even worse for KIU.
Lumanyika, Wundi and Namake combined for 45 points with each scoring 15 for UCU, Soro had a game high 20 points while Francis Sokoraza and Omanye both contributed 16 points.
The loss subjects KIU to a must win game four if they are to force a decisive game to the series.
The two sides meet again on Friday and for the Titans, losing will not be an option.