The KIU Titans left it late to edge the Ndejje Angels to a 61-60 win in their National Basketball League match at KIU Courts on Sunday.

The Titans, who were level on 58 points apiece with Ndejje, with less than a minute to go to the end of the game, saw a 2 pointer from Henry Okoth give them a two-point lead, which Ndejje could only equal before a free throw put them to the sword.

The win improves the Titans’ record to 5-1 and consolidates second place in the league table and boosts their chances of a favourable tie in the playoffs.

Titans started the game well, leading 19-14 after the first quarter but they drew the next two quarters before a late Ndejje rally saw them taking the fourth quarter 15-11, though it was not enough to eclipse the Kansanga giants, who have made this season’s title their primary target.

KIU Titans coach Brian Wathum will however be concerned by his side’s low conversion rate, with several chances going begging, something that can make a big difference in cutthroat games like the playoffs.

They missed 10 of their 22 free throws, scored only 20 of their 29 two-point attempts, and a paltry 3 out of 12 of their three-pointer attempts. This made a big difference for Ndejje, who converted 5 three-pointers, and had it not been Okoth’s heroics at the end, it could have been a very different story at the end of the day.

Titans however will take solace in the fact that they are beginning to find their consistency and grinding out wins even when they do not play well enough.

Photo: KIU Titans