Basketball in Africa

Oilers (6-3) took the opening quarter 12-10 in the low scoring game. KIU took the next 12-9 to go into halftime leading by a point. Titans (6-3) started the third quarter strong and with 1:36, Edwin Katerega took KIU’s lead to double digits (37-27). Oilers scored the next four points and trailed by 5 going into the final quarter.

Oilers opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run including Kami Kabange’s go-ahead And1 with 5:46. Jimmy Enabu (17 points, 6 rebounds) and Yusuf Mohamed added a lay-up each to increase Oilers lead to 43-37. KIU rallied back, matched shot for shot and with the game tied at 47, Kasekende was sent to line making one throw to take KIU up by a point. On gaining possession, Oilers were forced into a turnover but defended out the clock and called for a time out with 10 seconds. On returning the Titans defended out the seconds and held on for the win. “Today the guys had a lot of belief and played for each other more than they have done in other big games” Titans coach, Nimrod Kaboha said.

Kami Kabange scored team high 18 points for Oilers and Andrew Okello’s had game high 11 rebounds to go with 6 points. KIU defended the inside quite well holding Oilers to 31.7% shooting. “We knew they are good on the inside and we had to protect our key and did that well” Kasekende said.

UCU Canons beat Nkumba Marines to get their ninth consecutive win of the season. Joseph Chuma scored team high 17 points, picked 10 rebounds and blocked 2 shots off thebench to lead the way for Canons. Big man, Desmond Owili added 14 points, 12 rebounds and 4 objections. Forward, Wilson Otweyo scored game high 20 points and swatted 2 shots for Marines (3-8) while Brian Sivachi had 6 points and 6 rebounds.