By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, MAIN Campus-KIU Titans registered their third consecutive win on home court on Saturday 4th June 2022 with an impressive 72-58 victory over sturbon tropical royals. This completed a double triumph for the KIU basketball fraternity following KIU Ranger’s magnificent display against Miracle Ravens earlier on the same day before tumbling against UCU Lady Canons in the dying minutes on Sunday.

Nevertheless, that was a better start to the second round of the 2022 Uganda Basketball league for both sides. For the Titans, the result meant that their unbeaten run in Kansanga still lives on and for the Rangers, the display in both games proves why it is still a team to beat until the final day.

KIU Rangers' display against UCU is so far one of the very best in the season despite the Canons escaping to victory with a two-point deficit. This was a repeat of what the Rangers are yet to address this season, losing from winning positions against the big girls. As usual, the Rangers got to a hot start with Peruth Nyamwenge, Ines Kanyamuza and Sharon Kirabo cutting baselines, creating spaces, attempting three-pointers and doing all the good things they are accustomed to and this had ensured a 16-point lead in their favour, five minutes from time.

But it seems UCU loves to do things late and from down, especially against the Rangers. For the second time this season, the Mukono based side attempted a successful comeback against Roger Sseruyigo’s side, winning the first leg with a point in overtime and the second one with two.

Despite losing to UCU, KIU Rangers remain among the best four on the NBL women's table. They sit in the third place, level on points with UCU Lady Canons and one point below table leaders KCCA panthers but the standings could change if fourth-placed JKL Dolphins win their game in hand.

On the other, the Titans remain number five on the men's log below KCCA Panthers, Power basketball club, UCU Canons and City Oilers respectively with 21 points, five below leaders City Oilers who have played 14 games, one more than the Titans.

The Rangers will be in action against Nkumba lady marines on Wednesday as they look to return to winning ways. The game kicks off at 6:30 EAT at the MTN Indoor Arena, Lugogo.