The KIU Titans defeated the Namuwongo Blazers 76:74 after launching a comeback.
This rivalry delivered in multiple ways, but unfortunately, it was clouded by chaos and the Police had to intervene.
With 3:57 left in the game, Chaos erupted after a foul had been called on Joseph Chuma, his fifth and he had to sit the rest of the game out. Many argued that it was a flop and one could understand the cause of the frustration.
The coaches and fans were very disappointed and amidst that fracas, something happened and the officials stopped the game.
Some reports suggest that something appeared to have been thrown or poured towards one of the officials and as a result, they demanded that one of the fans be thrown out of the arena.
The other fans refused, and even more chaos arose after security was involved. The referees also left the court and the game stalled for more than 15 minutes.
When the game returned, even more drama unfolded in the final seconds of the game.
The Titans had a 3-point lead with 26 seconds left. Peter Cheng, while trying to get a quick foul, accidentally grabbed Edgar Munaba’s neck and he was given an unsportsmanlike foul.
Edgar scord the 2 Free Throws and for most, they thought the game is done as it was a 5-point game but there was another twist.
The KIU Titans inbound the ball and Collins Kasujja makes a turnover. In the process he fouls Jimmy Williams and he is also called for an Unsportsmanlike foul.
Jimmy Williams scores the 2 free throws and the Blazers have chance to tie the game. Unfortunately, Paul Odong with an open shot was unable to bury and the Titans won the game in the end.
To start the game, the Blazers looked good, and everything was working for them.
They scored 21 points to KIU’s 11 but the situation started to change in the second quarter.
The Titans made a 9:0 run during the second quarter and that sparked something in them. By halftime, it was 34:36 in favor of Nam Blazers but the momentum was with the Titans.
The start of the third quarter changed things around. Peter Obleng and Edgar Munaba scored big 3-point shots and the Titans got a 5-point lead.
The slight dwindle in the Blazers’ offense was enough for KIU and they turned up gaining a 14-point lead though it was cut to 7 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, it was about trying to maintain the lead for the KIU Titans and they managed to do that though they left a small window open but the Blazers never managed to use it.
Talking points
Foul Trouble (Discipline)
The Namuwongo Blazers have had a lot of problems when it comes to fouls. They had 23 in this game and in game 2, they had 26.
The Titans did very well on improving their discipline from game 2. They had just 15 fouls, compared to 28 in game 2.
Fluidity
The KIU Titans registered 30 assists and they are the only team to achieve that this season. Matter of fact, this is the second time they are doing this and this has eased their scoring.
Despite scoring 8 3-point shots, 3 less than Namuwongo, the Titans had most of their baskets coming at the rim.
Stanley Mugerwa, Joel Lukoji, and Tembo had multiple defense-splitting passes, and this made it easy for their teammates to score.
Missed opportunities
The Nam Blazers had 14 more Field Goal attempts than the Titans, but the difference was that the Blazers missed very many of their opportunities, more so the putbacks.
Despite scoring 29 second-chance points to KIU’s 8. The Blazers know that they missed many other opportunities and with the game being a close one, those are opportunities you have to capitalise.
Match Stats
Nam Blazers
Jimmy Williams 17 pts, 6 reb, 10 ast, 2 stl
Peter Cheng 15 pts, 11 reb, 1 ast, 2 blk
Michael Makiadi 10 pts, 9 reb, 1 stl, 2 blk
KIU Titans
Joel Lukoji 21 pts, 4 reb, 9 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk
Kasereka Tembo 15 pts, 4 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl
Edgar Munaba 14 pts, 9 reb, 2 astz 2 stl
The teams meet on Thursday 22nd for game 4 at the Lugogo Indoor Arena and it is a win-or-go-home for the Namuwongo Blazers.
The KIU Titans know that a return to the finals is within sight and they will be aiming to close the game out.
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