In a closely contested National Basketball League encounter at YMCA Kampala, the KIU Titans emerged victorious against the KCCA Panthers, winning 79-68. The game saw both teams displaying intense competition, with the Titans ultimately securing the win in the final quarter.
Kasereka Tembo led the Titans with an impressive 29 points, contributing significantly to the team’s victory. Tembo played for 31 minutes and 55 seconds, showcasing his scoring prowess. Joel Lukoji also had a notable performance with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists.
For the Panthers, Caesar Kizito was the top scorer with 15 points, while Aaron Trevour Ojoo added 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Despite their efforts, the Panthers fell short, especially in the final quarter where they were outscored 22-16 by the Titans.
The Titans shot 47% from the field, going 30-for-63, while the Panthers managed a 34% shooting percentage, hitting 21 of their 61 attempts. The Titans were more efficient from the two-point range, converting 51% of their shots compared to the Panthers’ 31%.
Rebounding was evenly matched, with both teams securing 40 rebounds each. The Titans displayed better ball movement with 10 assists compared to the Panthers’ 11, and both teams had 8 steals.
The game was closely contested through the first three quarters, with the Panthers leading 40-31 at halftime. However, the Titans mounted a comeback in the second half, dominating the third quarter with a 26-12 run, and maintaining their lead until the final buzzer.
In the closing moments of the game, with 18 seconds left, KCCA’s Stephen Otoa missed a critical free throw, failing to narrow the deficit. This miss was followed by a personal foul on KIU’s Ivan Lumanyika, sealing the Panthers’ fate.
