Banza Lifts Titans over Namuwongo
posted on June 8, 2024, 7:38 a.m. - By Isaac Akugizibwe
Joel Banza scored a last-second layup to help KIU Titans overcome the Namuwongo Blazers in a 74-71 thriller at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Friday.
The Congolese sensation finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and the game's highest, eight assists.
Friday's game had promised a tough contest from the start, and there was no disappointment. The fans were served to what was arguably the greatest basketball spectacle so far this season.
The Titans began brightly leading 18-15 at the end of the first quarter but were outscored in the second quarter to trail 41-37 at halftime.
The boys returned strongly in the second half, as they scored 18 points and limited Namuwongo to only 11.
There was a great improvement in defense as well in the third quarter, though there was a bit of laxity early in the fourth quarter, but the Titans remained on course until they clinched the victory.
The story would have been different if it wasn't for a great defense that saw Ochera's shot hit the rim before finding Mpiya on the rebound to pass to Banza, whose driving layup dropped as the clock stopped.
Fans who turned up in big numbers could not help but leave the stands to celebrate with the joyous Titans, who have now made it 10 wins in a row.
Pierre Kasereka Tembo contributed 13 points, while Juf Mpiya and Zuri Campbell added 10 points each.
Julius Lutwama's reaction
"It feels good to win such a close game, and I am happy that we accomplished our mission, which was to take the win."
"It was a great team effort, but still, I will credit Joel Lukoji Banza for leading the team well tonight and, of course, to all the players who played as a unit and made him stand out."
"Tonight's win means we have taken a step closer to what we want to achieve in the regular season ahead of the play-offs, but it also shows that what we train and talk about is beginning to pay off."
Brian Opio's reaction
"It's quite exciting to win such a close game given what we go through as players in the course of play."
"The tension was high, but I knew if the team kept doing the right thing, we would win, and that's exactly what happened."
KIU Titans' next game is on Saturday, June 22nd, against KCCA Panthers.
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