Debuting in the finals, KIU Rangers took a 1-0 finals lead after defeating the 2021 Champions, JKL Dolphins, 50-49.
JKL started strong, leading the first quarter 11-9. The KIU Rangers turned the script on its head with a solid 2Q outing to go into the half leading 21-17.
It was all KIU til the 4Q when JKL Dolphins’s championship mentality crept in, going on a 10-0 run and grabbing a 2-point lead with 6 seconds left in the game.
Sharon Kirabo would assist Perus Nyamwenge for the dagger three that gave KIU Rangers the win and broke the Dolphins’ hearts, handing them their first playoffs loss.
The KIU Rangers were firing across the board, with Ines Kanyamunza leading the charge, scoring 15 points from the bench, with a 50% FG percentage and 75% from beyond the arc.
Despite shooting at 44%, Amaniyo Rose Mary led all scorers with 18 points, with Perus Nyamweng, their chief creator, registering 5 assists.
JKL Dolphins had an unusually obscure outing, gaining zero points from the bench and had Evelyn Nakiyingi’s double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds), Hope Akello’s efforts, 14 rebounds and 7 assists to keep the score contestable.
Men’s NBL Playoffs
The City Oilers are on course to defend their title after ousting the KIU Titans 72-58 to take game 1.
KIU Titans looked up to the task, taking a 17-11 after Q1. The Oilers, like we’ve known them to be, took charge in Q2 and attained a one-point lead going into halftime.
It was City Oilers til the end, with the defending champions shutting out the Titans’ greatest threats while scoring for fun.
Titus Lual was the star performer of the evening, with a 17-point, 15-rebound double-double, closely helped by veteran Jimmy Enabu and Fayed Baale, each with 11 points.
The City Oilers bench came in handy, marshaling 17 points against 5 of the KIU Titans bench.
Denis Blaungu struggled to impact the game, shooting 14% on the night, and nothing from beyond the arc fell for him.
Amisi Danny Saidi led the game’s scorers with 20 points, with Edgar Munaba 19 points a close second.
Game 2 of the finals will be played on Sunday and the Titans will be looking to draw one back or face the grim replay of the 2017 finals where they were swept in the finals, by the Oilers.
Courtesy Photos
