STRATHMORE University thumped United States International University (USIU) 81-66 in a premier league tie at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium over the weekend.
The blades, who have won only one match and have lost some closely fought duels since their only victory over Lomboritz never took anything for granted racing to a 20-17 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.
Paul Nyakinda was all fire playing his hearts out as Strathmore took the second quarter 23-17 before the Tigers rallied to have a 15-13 advantage in the third. But the Tony Ochieng's boys regained the last quarter with a 25-19 cushion .
Nyakinga nailed game high 27 points while "big phil" Philip Amenyi added 19. For the struggling USIU, Ken Otieno managed to score 18 while Roy Ramadhan bagged 11 in that loss.
International Christian Center (ICC) beat Co-operative Bank of Kenya 78-72 in an epic tie played on Saturday got off to a blistering start with both sides giving as much as they got. The scores at the end of this quarter was a 20-20 stalemate. In the second, ICC were on top with a 28-19 margin that send them to the break with a 48-39 difference.
After the break, Benard Mufutu nailed a three pointer that saw Co-op trail 41-48 and a Richard Osano slam dunk had the scores 52-46 that prompted a panicky ICC bench to make some substituitions. Nelson Njau restored some confidence with a three pointer for a 57-45 edge.
In the last quareter, Osano nailed two free shots but again Griffin Ligare, who had a poor last half, popped up with a three pointer that give ICC a big 60-48 cushion before two foul shots by James Omune stretched it to 64-48.. But the bankers were not dead yet.
Bobby Okwako hit a shot and another Osano running dunk made it 64-69 with 2:45 to play as ICC bench responded with more substitutions to counter a strong Co-op wave. Mufutu score had it 66-70 before Patrick Odhiambo was hit with a technical foul by fiba referee Joseph Amoko for dissent.
It was a move that would cost the losers dearly in this duel as Ligare made three out of the four foul shots increasing the tally to 73-66 as Co-op, who had showed remarkable recovery, wondered what had hit them. It was their thgird loss in this year's campaign.
Ligare led all scorers with 23 points while Omune had 15 for ICC, who have only lost one game. For the struggling bankers who had the lethal Allan Ouma fouled out, Osano connected for team high 18 points while Mufutu bagged another 12.
Lomboritz had no one scoring in double figures yet they beat University of Nairobi "Terrorists" 43-35 in a dull tie. The winners trailed 6-7 in a low scoring first quarter but recovered to take the second 10-8. The campus lads enjoyed a 16-11 third quarter edge but faltered 16-4 in the last.
Sammy Kiria made 16 for Uon while Lomboritz had eight from Mike Ogutu and six from Eric Etemesi.
USIU Flames attoned for their men's mess when they overwhelmed Mennonites 69-33 in a game that saw Barbara Githinji show the way with game high 20 points. Moni Beryl managed to hit the target 15 times for the losers.
Easter Queens made grand their debut at their home court in Meru when they crushed Yana 67-37 in a match played at the Kenya Methodist University (KEMU) grounds. This was the first ever league show in this Eastern Provincial town.
National team players Hilda Indasi and Emma Nyakweba were the stars of this one sided demolition combining for a total 22 points for the winners who bolted away to a 19-10 points first quarter lead. Yana had 12 points from Sagala.
The visiting Masinde Muliro University of Agriculture and Technolgy (MMUST) had a succesful city tour when they posted two wins to remain unbeaten in the lower division. The kakamega based side beat Parklands Baptist 87-79 as Martin Kitonga nailed 26 points.
As if that was not enough, the proved too hot for Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University thumping them 72-51 in a match that a focused Kitonga inmcrease his tally while posting another 24 points and Ken Were registering 12.
Mennonites blanked World Hope 76-69 behind 27 points from Collins Ochieng and another 10 from Billy Ongute. Te losers had 18 from Maurice Obilo and 12 from Eric Khayere.
In the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) provincial league matches at Railways club, leaders Trailblazers topped Old Pirates 78-72 in an entertaining game. Joshua Vuva had 18 points. Araon Abuya and Eugene Mutekhele totalled the losers 31 points.
Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) downed Upper Hill School 72-38 as Moses Musosi shot 20 points. Dennis Mwanzia had 13 for the school boys. David Wainaina recorded 18 points to guide Balozi to a 72-57 win over Deaf Kings.
Old Pirates had the previous day became the first team to register a century mark in the now popular NBA show as they tormented Nairobi Deaf Kings winning 100-40 behind 28 points from Wycliffe Omondi.. The losers had 21 from Calvins Musalia.
Don Bosco beat Upper Hill School 45-28 as Benhard Bindar collected 10 points. The students were topped by Stephen Migose who had 10.Emyba bounced back from a poor run to hit Balozi 53-40. Roy Java had 18 points. Given Mwalengu shot 12 for Balozi.
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) regsitered their most memorable win hitting Kenya Polytechnic University 66-52. Kevin Otieno scored 23 points while Poly had 13 from Edgar Jillani.
In the only ladies show, World Hope upset Africa Nazarene University (ANU) 31-28 in a game that saw Agnes Wanjiku emerged the top scorer with 12 for the victors. Wilkister Achieng replied with 13 for the fast improving ANU.
Predators sink Safe Spaces 50-22 ex international Wilkister Oduor led with 18 points while Florence Mbithe many attempts fell short before wound up with bagged 12. Africa Nazarene University (ANU) hit Deaf Queens 57-25 behind 16 points from Achieng.
Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa