Akena Ryan had an unforgettable night as he delivered 31 points and 15 points to guide the KIU Titans to victory. The University side won 69-60 in game 4 to level the finals series 2-2.

Coming into this game, the KIU Titans had won game one of the finals. However, Watoto had overcome them in the next two to take a 2-1 lead. As thus, KIU needed the win in game 4 more as they would stave off going down 3-1.

The KIU Titans started the game and their intent was clear, to win the game. They won the first quarter 21-13 with Akena Ryan scoring 12 of the 21 points. In the second quarter, the game took an unexpected turn. KIU’s head coach Julius Lutwama had a confrontation with the referee David Ssenfuma. It is hard to know what the coach said or did but the referee gave him a technical. In an instant, the coach reacted as though coming at the referee and immediately was added another and ejected.

That was just the beginning of the drama. Words were thrown out, people had to come and hold back the coach. During that moment, a player came and poured water on the court. It was very dramatic. After all that, the coach and Richard Mutawulu were ejected. When all this happened, KIU had been in the lead, 21-17.

After that brawl, many thought that KIU would go off the rails but they stayed composed. They went into the halftime leading the game 35-24.

During a stint in the third, Watoto scored 6 quick points and one would think that they had now gathered enough steam to make a comeback. KIU had other ideas though.

Daniel Odokonyero made a deep three and Chieng Garang made 4 points to make it a 14-point led with less than 5 minutes to play in the quarter. They went on to extend their lead to 18 points, the highest in the game.

Coming into the fourth, Watoto trailed by 16 points and a comeback was going to be very hard. However, they an 11-2 run to make it a 7-point game with over 6 minutes left. Once again, one would think that they had the momentum to rally and make a comeback but KIU knew what they had to do.

Akena Ryan hit a very big three to make it a 10-point game but Watoto scored 4 quick points to cut the deficit to just 6 points. With less than 3 minutes to play, Watoto could have cut the deficit more but they missed 2 layup and Akena Ryan made another three to finish them off.

Top Performers

Akena Ryan was the star of the night and he registered a minster double-double. He finished with 31 points, 15 rebounds and 2 steals. Chieng Garang also had a wonderful night with 12 points and 9 rebounds.

Omara Emmanuel continued his incredible finals performance with a bug double-double. He registered 21 points, 17 rebounds, 2 blocks and 4 steals. Victor Makmot also registered a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks.

Game 5

With the series tied at 2 all, it means that the series shall be decided in a minimum of 6 games. However, the next game is the most important. The teams will meet for game 5 on Friday 30th October at the YMCA. Tipoff will be at 8 pm.