NBL Playoffs: Wathum Lauds Players After Win Against Warriors

KIU Titans coach Brian Wathum has commended his players after putting up an improved performance in game two to beat Warriors in the NBL quarter final playoffs.

KIU strolled to a 69-59 game two victory to tie the series one all in an ill fated affair at Lugogo.

Also read – How KIU beat Warriors

KIU’s Nunda Kiryowe goes for a jumper

“We really wanted this,” Wathum told journalists after the victory. “We have been working very hard to reach to this stage and Warriors have always left a bad taste in our mouth but we have been here before against the same team, same series and we believe that game two was our must win so we had to force a game three otherwise our season was over.”

“I commend the Titans players, they were hungry and showed it. They stuck to the game plan both defensively and offensively. And I am glad that we managed to come through.

“It was offence which was the difference today unlike on Friday (game one), we moved the ball much better. We have to practice hard, there is no resting.”

KIU, after losing game one 57-49, needed nothing but to bounce back in game two if they were to keep their season alive. They looked a much better team on Monday as they shared the ball more and shot much better.

The UAP Old Mutual Player of the game – Denis Balungu (middle)

Denis Balungu had 22 points. Michael Bwanga managed 15 while Nunda Kiryowe contributed 9 off the bench in a spirited performance, a reminiscent of life and death battle.

Speaking about individuals, Wathum hailed an outstanding performance from Balungu and bench player Nunda.

“Denis (Balungu) understands that whichever team we face, is going to come out and get him, so towards the end of the regular season we have been working hard on ways to get him free, trying to space up our flow to get him the looks and if we move the ball well we can even score many more points.

“So our spacing, timing and ball movement afforded him to score more points and he is also a good player with a very good shot. Then for Nunda, he is a good player, he has been our best off the bench. He really got us off tight situations.”

Related – Warriors Edge KIU in game one

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