KIU, Nkumba Ladies out to avoid early exit

Chris Basheke Omanye of Warriors in action against KIU Titans at YMCA Wandegeya. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA

Kampala- Warriors had to wait for three weeks to start their National Basketball League post-season after the start of the playoffs were postponed by a week.

They could however now complete their playoff first round engagement in a space of four days when they play KIU Titans in the second game of their best of three quarterfinal matchup at YMCA court this evening.

This is after the two-time champions Warriors claimed a 47-39 game one victory at Lugogo on Friday.
Forward Saidi Amisi could again be pivotal after his game high 14 points gave Warriors the edge on the inside as Ettiene Kazungu’s absence for KIU palpable.

The morale sapping result for KIU which saw both sides overwhelmed by the occasion being the opening game of the postseason also was a third straight win by Warriors over their opponents this season.

This included a 55-46 low scoring regular season second round game for Warriors who only managed to field seven players at the time.

The KIU women’s side find themselves with a similar advantage after edging Brenda Ekone’s Nkumba Lady Marines 53-52 in their game one.

Back in the men’s top division, Betway Power got the most eye catching result from the opening two days, handing JKL a 74-35 thrashing at YMCA court on Saturday evening.

Syrus Kiviiri and Amini Mkosa led the five-time champions Power with 15 points who used a 27-8 storming start to underline their intentions of a fourth final in seven seasons.