by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya
Friday results
Miracle 99-89 Falcons
Power 80-89 KIU
Women
Lady Canons 62-58 KIU
Today at YMCA
Sharing v UCU JV 10am
Jammers v Diamonds 11:30am
Heaters v Rhino 2:30pm
Miracle v Power 5:30pm
Women
Rangers v Crane High 1pm
Lady Canons v Rhino 4pm
DMark Power’s fairytale had to come to an end at some stage. The MTN-Fuba League men’s holders Power dropped their first points of the season, losing 80-89 to Kampala International University (KIU) on Friday night.
A massive 39 points from Michael Karuiki - 26 in the second half - and a spirited second half performance from KIU was all it took to upset the champions. Power won the first two quarters 21-17 and 22-17 and looked destined to record their 14th victory.
But after Miracle Eagles defeated Falcons 99-89 in an earlier game, KIU knew they had to win by all means to remain in contention for the sole remaining play-offs slot. Power, Warriors and Falcons have already qualified for the play-offs while Miracle, KIU and Nkumba Marines all still have a chance of finishing fourth. “We are getting there. I have always told you that all I needed was to get all my players back. Now the team is together and I can’t say I am surprised to beat Power because my boys are good enough,” KIU coach Nimrod Kaboha said amid cheers at YMCA Wandegeya.
Markmork Orom (17 points), Henry Mwinuka (15), Mande Juruni (11) and Moses Olobo (8) had a game to remember especially in the third quarter where they hit Power 30-13.
Unfazed Afidra
Michael Kojjo was impressive for Power, scoring 16 points, Ben Komakech 19, Isaac Afidra 18 and Norman Blick 11 although he fouled out in the final session.
“I can’t say that we undermined our opponents. It’s one of those nights where things don’t work out however hard you try,” Afidra, a former KIU player, noted. After 15 games, Miracle and KIU are now tied on 23 points. It’s now up to Miracle to try and defeat DMark Power at YMCA tonight if they are to make the postseason. Elsewhere, Stephen Omony overcame a nagging ankle injury to score a game high 37 points in Falcons’ losing effort.