By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main campus- Whereas the vast majority of KIU were in the 25th graduation jubilations, the basketball family was busy celebrating victories for both KIU Rangers and the Titans and that completed one of the most ecstatic weekends in Kansanga at least since the beginning of 2022.

KIU Rangers opened the party with an impressive 83-51 win against Nabisunsa girls on Saturday morning before the Titans completed what proved to be a good day for KIU when they avoided a major scare from determined giant-killers Victoria University later on in the day.

For KIU Rangers, the result means they continue to wage fury over every opponent since losing to UCU Lady Canons with Nkumba Lady marines and Nabisunsa respectively, falling victims in the last few days.On the other hand, the Titans' impressive start to the second round of the 2022 NBL season was maintained with a hard-fought 69-64 victory over Victoria University on Saturday.

Despite failing to register a victory against UCU Lady Canons two weeks ago, KIU Rangers have had an impressive scoring run, putting forward an average of over 75 points per game in the last four consecutive games. This run includes the second round's biggest individual tally of points in a single game by the elusive Perus Nyamwege.

Nyamwege scored 35 points to inspire KIU Rangers to 83-51 victory over Nkumba Lady marines on Wednesday last week and that was way too much than she had promised her coach.

"Perus had promised to give me 20 points and 5 assists and instead she even gave more than required, a massive 35 points," Roger Sseruyingo, KIU Rangers Coach testified in a post-match interview on Thursday.

The Rangers scored the same number of points though in some different style as they ran riot over Nabisunsa.This time it was Ninette Uwineza at the helm.

"The ladies have learnt to secure games that they have to without wasting energies. The intention was to get minutes on the court for all players and get them tested on defense since it’s still our biggest problem. We easily let in baskets as we are confident, we can score which is not a good sign of a team," Roger Sseruyingo, KIU Rangers coach commented after Sunday's game.

"The Nabisunsa girls lacked all their star players of Sarah Namale, Darlene Tashobya, Priscilla Nambogo lest Patience Karungi who was available and scored 17 points on the Rangers team," he added.

 With all their stars away on under-18 national team duty, Sseruyingo's ladies had everything in their favour but the number of points they continue to concede game in game out are still his biggest worry.

"83-51 is a comfortable win but we still need to sort out our defensive woes," he said.

KIU Titans had Muhammad Abdikani score in double figures, with 12 points and 11 rebounds to cruise to victory on Saturday. This also earned the Somali International, the Tusker lite Player of the game award.

Evergreen Ahmed Kassa contributed 10 points and four assists for the Titans while Ronald Ayume scored the game's highest,26 points though it could not help Victoria University avoid a third defeat in a row.

KIU Titans remain sixth on the NBL ladder with 23 points just seven points below leaders UCU Canons while KIU Rangers lead the NBL women's table with 23 points, two better than second-placed UCU Lady Canons who have a game in hand.