Titans end Oilers’ 100% run

Oilers players defend against KIU Titans’ Omanye (L) as he shoots in a recent encounter. File photo

What you need to know:

Basketball. Oilers converted three out of eight attempts on the line in the final two minutes with the often reliable stars Kami Kabange and Jonah Otim the guilty parties.

KAMPALA. It felt like KIU Titans had lifted a heavy load off the chest of Ugandan basketball by beating three-time defending champions City Oilers 70-67 on Tuesday night.

The Lugogo MTN Arena got its loudest cheer in quite some time when the buzzer sounded to confirm Oilers’ first defeat of the 2016 National Basketball League season.

Everyone seemed relieved, almost everyone. They had been 14 victories prior and the prospects of an unbeaten 22-game season weren’t too farfetched. Oilers are human after all.

Perhaps even more important is that KIU made the statement they needed as their first clash with the dominant team of this era was washed out last month.

“You draw confidence from such a victory especially when you come up against the same team like in the playoffs. It gives us belief that we can beat any team in the league,” assistant KIU Titans coach Chris Kyebambe explained afterwards.

Much as his team deserve credit for the victory, Oilers offense seemed to collapse at the crucial stage. The ball became a hot potato for a side that normally epitomizes calm under pressure as they missed their final four field attempts.

Oilers converted three out of eight attempts on the line in the final two minutes with the often reliable Kami Kabange and Jonah Otim the guilty parties.

Jimmy Enabu scored a game high 23 points with Kabange adding 13 in a game that marked a first season appearance for guard Ben Komakech, who has been out with a recurring knee problem.
“KIU played well but we lost concentration at the end of every quarter. Win or lose the game had no effect on our season. We can now focus on the rest of our season because the unbeaten run was getting into the players’ minds,” explained Oilers Mandy Juruni after the game.

With Sudi Ulanga and Samuel Oguttu reportedly serving a club suspension, Chris Omanye flourished with a team high 21 points for the Titans who are now on a 12 game unbeaten run since losing the opening three games.

Henry Malinga added 11 and Geoffrey Soro 10 for the Hamza Nyambogo side.
Most of the crowd will want more of the same come December when Oilers will definitely be in the title conversation as they seek a fourth successive diadem.

NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE

TUESDAY RESULTS

W: Lady Canons73-60 Javon
M: KIU Titans 70-67 City Oilers