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The champions, who won the first two games of the series, fumbled their last possession after Jimmy Enabu was called for a travel to turn the ball over with seven seconds left on the clock.
City Oilers head coach Mandy Juruni is confident his charges will bounce back to win Game Four of the National Basketball League finals and stretch their lead in the race to the championship.
Speaking after Wednesday night’s 70-68 Game Three loss to KIU Titans, Juruni said: “It is good to lose sometimes.”
The champions, who won the first two games of the series, fumbled their last possession after Jimmy Enabu was called for a travel to turn the ball over with seven seconds left on the clock.
KIU ran down the clock to win the game and send their fans into wild celebrations.
“I hope that the loss acts as a wake-up call for the boys, and we come back stronger in the next game,” Juruni added.
“We didn’t play well, and KIU badly want to win games, so you have to give them credit.”
Forward Joseph Chuma stood out for the Kansanga-based side, affecting proceedings on both ends of the ball to earn himself the Player of the Game medal.
The former Oilers player came off the bench to record 11 points, nine rebounds and four blocks to help KIU to their first win of the series.
City Oilers started the game on the front foot, leading 23-15 at the end of the first quarter and 37-32 going into the halftime break.
Guard Innocent Ochera contributed 18 points, while Joel Lukoji had eight points, three rebounds and five assists on the night.
City Oilers carried a two-point advantage (51-49) into the fourth quarter, but the Titans edged the fourth frame 21-17 to win the game.
James Okello, Titus Lual and Jimmy Enabu scored 17, 12 and 11 points, respectively, but these were insufficient as the eight-time champions lost just their second game of the season.
The two sides will face off in Game Four Thursday night, with the Oilers looking to stretch their lead while the Titans want to level the series.
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