KIU Titans 67-71 City Oilers
KIU Titans are on the verge of exiting the National Basketball League Playoffs after falling behind 2-1 in the best-of-five series against City Oilers.
The much fancied side after a dominant opening game of the semifinals last Friday has fallen in two successive games, and face elimination heading into Game 4 on Friday, September 21.
The rare Tuesday night game presented opposites of the two sides that played the series opener. While five-time defending champions City Oilers were calm and confident, KIU Titans were jittery and timid. No surprise Oilers controlled the opening quarter 21-14.
However, KIU regrouped in the second quarter. Ben Komakech opened the period with a jumper to extend Oilers lead to 9 points, but Titans responded with an 11-0 run to edge ahead early in the second quarter. It was a sea-saw from that point on but Oilers had a 3-point (39-36) heading into the locker rooms for the halftime break.
City Oilers were in control throughout the third quarter, thanks largely to Jimmy Enabu’s 7 points in the frame but Titans never fell far behind, with the largest deficit being 8 points.
Oilers guard Tony Drileba was sent to the line on the first possession of the fourth quarter and he drilled all the three shots to extend the lead to 8 points (60-52).
It was not long before the defending champions stretched the lead to double figures. Stephen Omony – whose primary defender Denis Balungu could not locate – hit a corner three followed by a baseline mid-range elbow jumper for an 11-point (65-54) midway the quarter.
KIU coach Brian Wathum was forced to call for time and on return Balungu was sent to the line hitting both throws to ignite Titans comeback that was helped by a couple of Oilers turnovers and a three missed attempts.
Turning Point
With 1:46 to play and KIU trailing by 3 points (66-63), Balungu brought the Kasanga based side to within a point.
Jimmy Enabu then threaded a pass to Josh Johnson who connected from three-point range in transition to extend Oilers lead to 4.
On inbounding, KIU’s point guard Michael Bwanga turned over the ball with a bad pass but was saved by James Okello who missed his attempt before Joseph Chuma brought Titans to within 2 points (67-69), 54 seconds from the final buzzer.
City Oilers gave up possession again and Wathum called for time to draw a game leveling or winning play with just 16 seconds to the final horn. On return to the floor, Bwanga turned over the ball to Enabu who finished off Titans with a lay-up.
James Okello scored team-high 16 points to lead Oilers. Omony, Enabu and Johnson contributed 14, 12 and 11 points respectively.
Oscar Muge scored game-high 17 points in a losing effort. Chris Omany had 10 points while Balungu scored 9.
Game 4 of the series will be played on Friday night at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
