K-W Titans guard Akeem Scott (#10) attempts a layup against the Windsor Express last night in NBL Canada action in Kitchener. (Photo by Dan Congdon)

K-W split games this week, can move into tie for 2nd tonight 

The Kitchener-Waterloo Titans haven’t had the start to the National Basketball League of Canada season they’d hoped for, but there is still hope for them. The Titans sit at 2-7 and in last place in the four-team Central Division, but ahead of them Windsor and Sudbury boast only three wins each. 

The Titans welcomed the Island Storm to The Aud on Tuesday night, being the team from Charlottetown 116-104. Jared Nickens had a big game off the bench for K-W, scoring a game-high 23 points on 7-14 shooting, including six three-pointers. Nickens launched six more threes than any of his teammates, establishing himself as a go-to shooter early this season. The Titans also had five other double-digit scorers, including Akeem Ellis (19), Akeem Scott (18), Marvin Phillips (12), Juwan Miller (10) and Jonathan Harris (10). K-W weathered the Storm’s furious fourth-quarter comeback attempt, as Island followed up a 40-point third quarter outburst by K-W with a 36-point fourth of their own. Some key defensive stops and timely free-throw shooting helping the Titans seal the victory. 

On Thursday, K-W couldn’t keep the momentum going as it fell to Windsor, 125-112 at home. The Titans didn’t manage to win a quarter, which spells trouble for having any chance of winning the ball game. Ellis led the Titans in this one with a 32-point double-double, adding 10 rebounds. Windsor’s Chris Jones, Kirk Williams Jr. and Shaq Keith combined for 77 points, pushing the Express to victory. 

K-W made the trip to Sudbury for a date with the Five tonight at 7pm. The season is young, but it’s a big opportunity for the Titans to pull even in wins with Sudbury and begin building momentum going forward. K-W will be off after tonight until next Thursday night, when Windsor returns to The Aud.