Nam Blazers dominate KIU Titans to take Game One: NBL Playoffs

The Nam Blazers dominated the KIU Titans in a 79-61 victory in the semifinals of the 2024 National Basketball League. The Titans struggled with shooting, while the Blazers capitalized on offensive opportunities. The Titans’ focus on forcing fouls may prove crucial in the next game. #talkinghoops #NBL24

Avitus Ngabirano

August 17, 2024

2–3 minutes

KIU Titans, Namuwongo Blazers, National Basketball League

The Nam Blazers defeated the KIU Titans 61:79 to take game one in the semifinals of the 2024 National Basketball League.

The Titans led the game 9:3 after the first 90 seconds but the Blazers took over, scoring 24 points to KIU’s 5 in the remainder of the quarter.

Joseph Chuma turned up in the second quarter scoring 8 points while Jimmy Williams also got unlocked, making 8 points in the quarter.

The Titans had multiple scorers but it was Mpiya Juf who stood tall as he made 7 of the teams’ 17 points.

However, by the end of the quarter, the Nam Blazers had amassed an 18-point gap and it was going to be a tough ask for the Titans to make a come-back.

The biggest difference in this game was the first half were the Blazers outscored the Titans by 18. The teams scored the same number of points in the second but enough damage had been done.

Talking points

The first quarter

The KIU Titans scored 9 points in the first 90 seconds but the situation became sour thereafter and the Nam Blazers took over for the remainder of the quarter.

The Titans could not stop the shots from the Blazers and they got caught up in the moment and the Blazers capitalized a lot offensively. By the time they had reset, it was already too late and they were just playing catch-up.

3-point shooting

The KIU Titans have an enormous amount of shooters but they only managed to score3 of their 31 attempts. That is a very poor return and with such a performance, it was alwas going to be hard for them to get the win.

Free Throw battle

The Biggest positive the KIU Titans got in this game was the free throws. They made just 9 fouls while the Blazer made 22. As a result, the Titans had 25 Free Throw attempts and they scored 18 of them.

One of the things they will be looking to do most in game 2 is to force the Nam Blazers into foul trouble and it could pay off heavily.