NBL Round 23 (Regular Season): KIU Titans defeat leader Blazers

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Blazers (15-4) in Kampala on Friday night. Hosts were edged by KIU Titans (15-3) 74-71. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Blazers. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Joel Lukoji orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Mpiya Juf contributed with 10 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. KIU Titans' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American-Togolese guard Jimmy Williams (196-1986, college: ABU) answered with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds for Blazers. KIU Titans have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Blazers at the other side dropped to the second place with four games lost. KIU Titans' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala KCCA P..
Important game to mention about took place in Kampala. Fourth ranked KCCA P. (11-8) saved a 2-point derby victory at home edging 5th ranked UCU Canons (11-8) 72-70 in the game for the fourth place. It was a great evening for Stephen Otoa who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 8 rebounds. Okumu Emmanuel helped adding 13 points and 9 rebounds. KCCA P.'s coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Center Peter Sifuma (-1996) responded with 7 points and 17 rebounds. KCCA P. maintains fourth place with 11-8 record, which they share with defeated UCU Canons. KCCA P.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena KIU Titans.
A very close game took place in Kampala between Kampala R. and Jaguars. Eighth ranked Kampala R. (7-12) got a very close home victory over 6th ranked Jaguars (10-10). Kampala R. managed to escape with a 3-point win 59-56 on Sunday evening. It was an exceptional evening for Ruai Luak who led the winners with a triple-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. George Agasi came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 15 rebounds for Jaguars in the defeat. Jaguars' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Kampala R. maintains eighth place with 7-12 record. Jaguars lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team keep the sixth position with ten games lost. Kampala R.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena City Oilers.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 23: Our Saviour beat Kampala R. on the road 64-58. JKL Dolphins lost to Livingstone on its own court 51-64. Our Saviour unfortunately lost to UCU Canons in Kampala 58-64. KCCA P. lost to defending champion City Oilers at home 68-80.



KCCA P. - UCU Canons 72-70

Important game to mention about took place in Kampala. Fourth ranked KCCA P. (11-8) saved a 2-point derby victory at home edging 5th ranked UCU Canons (11-8) 72-70 in the game for the fourth place. KCCA P. forced 30 UCU Canons turnovers. Strangely UCU Canons outrebounded KCCA P. 55-36 including a 41-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great evening for Stephen Otoa who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 8 rebounds. Forward Okumu Emmanuel (-1997) helped adding 13 points and 9 rebounds. KCCA P.'s coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Center Peter Sifuma (-1996) responded with 7 points and 17 rebounds and the former international center Joel Kayira (208-2001) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. KCCA P. maintains fourth place with 11-8 record, which they share with defeated UCU Canons. KCCA P.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena KIU Titans.
Top scorers:
UCU Canons: N.Okidi 16, J.Kayira 13+10reb+1ast, J.Kasilimbi 11+6reb+4ast, E.Zachariah 11+7reb+3ast, P.Sifuma 7+17reb+3ast, L.Ibanda 6+7reb+2ast
KCCA P.: C.Kizito 18+2reb+1ast, S.Otoa 17+8reb+2ast, O.Emmanuel 13+9reb+1ast, E.Ateng 11+4reb+2ast, G.Mahamba 5+2reb+1ast, W.Otweyo 2+5reb

Kampala R. - Our Saviour 58-64

The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventh ranked Our Saviour's (9-11) road victory over 8th ranked Kampala R. (7-12) 64-58 on Saturday. It was an exceptional evening for guard Joseph Wacha (-1991) who led the winners and scored 28 points and 5 assists. John Teko accounted for 8 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side. South Sudanese swingman Ruai Luak (198-2004) came up with 25 points and 6 rebounds and Francis Kasinde added 10 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Kampala R. in the defeat. Our Saviour maintains seventh place with 9-11 record. Loser Kampala R. keeps the eighth position with 12 games lost. Our Saviour's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala Power.
Top scorers:
Kampala R.: R.Luak 25+6reb+1ast, F.Kasinde 10+8reb+2ast, S.Fadul 7+3reb, O.Simon 5+2reb, P.Kikomba 4+7reb, C.Ndibu 4+8reb
Our Saviour: J.Wacha 28+4reb+5ast, P.Mas 10+6reb+3ast, H.Ssebagala 9+7reb, J.Teko 8+12reb, M.Mugisha 5+7reb+6ast, K.Mesho 4+6reb

JKL Dolphins - Livingstone 51-64

There was a minor upset when 9th ranked JKL Dolphins (6-13) lost to eleventh ranked Livingstone (6-13) in Kampala 51-64 on Sunday. Livingstone forced 23 JKL Dolphins turnovers and outrebounded them 52-41 including 38 on the defensive glass. It was an exceptional evening for Isaac Athuai who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds. Bruce Okullo accounted for 13 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Four Livingstone players scored in double figures. Livingstone's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Martin Buluma came up with 15 points and 7 rebounds and Austin Odiwuor added 9 points and 8 rebounds respectively for JKL Dolphins in the defeat. Livingstone moved-up to ninth place, which they share with defeated JKL Dolphins. Livingstone will meet at home higher ranked UCU Canons (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. JKL Dolphins' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala Blazers.
Top scorers:
JKL Dolphins: M.Buluma 15+7reb, K.Clement 10+6reb+1ast, A.Odiwuor 9+8reb+2ast, S.Gombya 8+7reb, N.Guddi 7+7reb, K.Mugabe 2+1reb+1ast
Livingstone: A.Ariho 14+3reb+1ast, B.Okullo 13+8reb, I.Athuai 10+13reb+1ast, J.Namutegere 10+3reb+1ast, B.Okot 8+5reb, M.Innocent 7+8reb

Kampala R. - Jaguars 59-56

A very close game took place in Kampala between Kampala R. and Jaguars. Eighth ranked Kampala R. (7-12) got a very close home victory over 6th ranked Jaguars (10-10). Kampala R. managed to escape with a 3-point win 59-56 on Sunday evening. It was an exceptional evening for South Sudanese swingman Ruai Luak (198-2004) who led the winners with a triple-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Puati Kikomba accounted for 15 points and 15 rebounds for the winning side. George Agasi came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 15 rebounds and Ian Lubwama added 15 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Jaguars in the defeat. Jaguars' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Kampala R. maintains eighth place with 7-12 record. Jaguars lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team keep the sixth position with ten games lost. Kampala R.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena City Oilers.
Top scorers:
Jaguars: A.Eboyu 16+4reb+1ast, I.Lubwama 15+6reb+2ast, G.Agasi 14+15reb+2ast, B.Shango 6+11reb+1ast, C.Fadhili 2+9reb+4ast, W.Mark 2+4reb
Kampala R.: O.Simon 19+6reb+1ast, R.Luak 15+11reb+11ast, P.Kikomba 15+15reb+2ast, F.Kasinde 4+9reb+1ast, C.Ndibu 4+11reb, K.Garang 2

UCU Canons - Our Saviour 64-58

Rather predictable result when fifth ranked UCU Canons (11-8) won against 7th ranked Our Saviour (9-11) in Kampala 64-58 on Sunday. It was an exceptional evening for center Peter Sifuma (-1996) who led the winners and scored 9 points and 15 rebounds. The former international center Joel Kayira (208-2001) accounted for 12 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side. Power forward Moses Mugisha (-1984) came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and Henry Ssebagala added 18 points and 4 assists respectively for Our Saviour in the defeat. UCU Canons moved-up to fourth place, which they share with KCCA P. Loser Our Saviour keeps the seventh position with 11 games lost. UCU Canons will meet Livingstone (#9) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Our Saviour's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala Power.
Top scorers:
Our Saviour: H.Ssebagala 18+4reb+4ast, M.Mugisha 15+10reb+6ast, D.Mugisha 8+5reb+1ast, A.Okwenzi 6+2reb, J.Wacha 6+6reb+5ast, J.Teko 5+9reb
UCU Canons: J.Kayira 12+7reb+1ast, L.Ibanda 12+1reb+2ast, P.Sifuma 9+15reb+1ast, J.Otim 8+5reb+1ast, N.Okidi 7+4reb+1ast, M.Okurut 6+2reb+2ast

KCCA P. - City Oilers 68-80

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 4th placed KCCA P.'s (11-8) home loss to third ranked City Oilers (14-1) in Kampala 68-80 on Wednesday. City Oilers forced 19 KCCA P. turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for Sudanese center Titus Lual (201-1998) who led the winners and scored 17 points and 7 rebounds. Forward Edrine Walujjo (193-2000) accounted for 9 points and 8 assists for the winning side. Forward Caesar Kizito (-1988) came up with 16 points and forward Aaron Ojoo (-1996) added 9 points and 6 rebounds respectively for KCCA P. in the defeat. KCCA P.'s coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for City Oilers. Defending champion maintains third place with 14-1 record behind leader KIU Titans. Loser KCCA P. keeps the fourth position with eight games lost. They share it with UCU Canons. City Oilers' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala Kampala R..
Top scorers:
KCCA P.: C.Kizito 16+3reb+1ast, E.Ateng 11+2reb, W.Otweyo 10+2reb+1ast, A.Ojoo 9+6reb+1ast, R.Tueny Mabor 8+4reb+1ast, E.Odongkara 7+5reb+1ast
City Oilers: T.Lual 17+7reb+1ast, B.Komakech 14+2reb+3ast, R.Dauna 11+4reb, F.Baale 10+4reb+4ast, E.Walujjo 9+4reb+8ast, M.Dier 8+8reb+3ast

Blazers - KIU Titans 71-74

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Blazers (15-4) in Kampala on Friday night. Hosts were edged by KIU Titans (15-3) 74-71. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Blazers. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Joel Lukoji orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Mpiya Juf contributed with 10 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. KIU Titans' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American-Togolese guard Jimmy Williams (196-1986, college: ABU) answered with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds and the former international guard Ochera Innocent (-1997) added 22 points in the effort for Blazers. KIU Titans have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Blazers at the other side dropped to the second place with four games lost. KIU Titans' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala KCCA P..
Top scorers:
Blazers: O.Innocent 22+2reb, J.Williams 16+12reb+3ast, P.Cheng 14+8reb, M.Makiadi 9+12reb+1ast, J.Chuma 6+6reb+2ast, R.Ongom 2+2reb
KIU Titans: J.Lukoji 16+6reb+8ast, K.Tembo 13+2reb, Z.Campbell 10+2reb, M.Juf 10+7reb+3ast, E.Munaba 9+7reb+1ast, S.Mugerwa 6+9reb+2ast