National Basketball League playoffs finals

Best of seven series (Game one)

Women 

Rangers 50 JKL 49

Men

City Oilers 72 KIU 58

Eight-time National Basketball League defending champions City Oilers beat KIU Titans 72-58 to take home Game one of the best of seven series playoffs on Friday night at YMCA basketball Court in Wandegeya.

Despite a good run both in the first and second quarters, the Titans lacked self-belief in the third and fourth quarters and allowed the Oilers to conquer.

By contrast, the Titans are into the finals as underdogs, the fact that they are making their second appearance on a big stage compared to the Oilers who are seeking their ninth title in a row.

KIU’s Edgar Munaba scored a game-high 20 points while his teammate Amisi Saidi contributed 19 points but their performance did not move mountains for them.

Oiler’s Titus Odeke scored 17 points and 15 rebounds while Tonny Drileba added 14 points, and Jimmy Enabu contributed 11 points in their winning effort.

Meanwhile, in the women's league, the KIU Rangers secured a narrow 50-49 win over the two-time defending champions the JKL Lady Dolphins thanks to Perus Nyamwenge’s three-point shot in the last seconds of the game.

The Lady Dolphins lacked the work ethic of their captain Flavia Oketcho who spent the entire time at the technical bench for unknown reasons.

The Ranger Mary Amaniyo scored a game-high 18 points and 7 rebounds while Ines Kanyamunza added 15 points and 3 rebounds. Perus Nyamwenge contributed 13 points in their winning effort.

On the other side, Brenda Ekone scored a team-high 15 points and 4 rebounds while Rita Imanishimwe added 11 points and 8 rebounds. Evelyn Nakiyinji contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds in their losing effort