KIU Titans Humble City Oilers in Easter Monday Pre-season friendly

By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus - Elvis Mutebi scored 14 points to give coach Brian Wathumcâ¬â„cs KIU Titans their second victory in three pre-season friendlies played over the Easter holiday. The Titans beat seven-time champions City Oilers 73-54 in a game played on Monday evening at the KIU Basketball Court in Kansanga to keep their new season hopes high. 

This was the third pre-season game for KIU who kicked off with a 64-55 win over Nam Blazers (Friday) before losing 70-63 to JKL Dolphins on Saturday. KIU Titans coach, Brian Wathum, expressed confidence in his team after the 73-54 victory against City Oilers.

câ¬Å“I think we are headed in the right direction; I like where we are at, of course, if someone asks me percentage-wise, we are now operating at 50%, there are a lot of things we did wrong even if we won, thatcâ¬â„cs the beauty of this game and preseason,câ¬â„ccâ¬â„c Wathum said.

He added that itcâ¬â„cs a good confidence booster and also very important to know that the Titans win even without their stars in the team. 

"We did a good job and these friendlies are for them to get into that mindset," he said.

KIU Titans didncâ¬â„ct need any of their stars, especially at the backcourt, to overcome the seven-time champions on Easter Monday. In addition to Elvis Mutebicâ¬â„cs 14 points for the Titans, Henry Okoth added 13 while Peter Obleng contributed 11 points to ensure victory.

Despite a convincing victory against heavyweights City Oilers, Titans coach Brian Wathum says that there is still more work to be done especially going forward.

câ¬Å“There is a lot more to be desired on offense, defense is okay, we are sticking to the principles, I think we are doing a great job there.c⬝

The league, per the NBL fixture, will be played at KIU and UCU courts, giving KIU Titans an advantage.