Strathmore University and regional champions Co-operative Bank of Kenya posted impressive wins during the premier league matches played at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium over the weekend.
The students man handled league leaders International Christian Center (ICC) bringing them down to earth with a 81-74 win.. Co-op on the other hand were too strong for Lomboritz hitting them hard with a 80-44 drubbing at the same venue.
ICC got off to a bright start taking a close 21-20 lead at the end of the first quarter. But the Blades cut through in the second quarter turning the tide 26-13 as the two sides went to the break. In the Third quarter, ICC still trailed 23-17.
The losers, sensing the game was getting out of reach pilled on the pressure and a Griffin Ligare three pointer cut the advantage to a ten point deficit at 64-74 and another one saw ICC down by three - 71-74 with only 1:58 to play. But they let the winners off the hook again.
Tiberius Menya drove the lanes for a 78-71 edge and almos immediately another Vincent Anyim basket made the scores 80-71 a move that potentially killed off any ICC threats. David Ogolla iced the win with a free throw for Tony Ochieng boys.
Ken Maru led the victors with a 22 point haul Ogolla bagged 19 while Philip Amenyi made 12. For ICC, it was Ligare and Phil Dinga combination that troubled the siudents. They had 23 and 22 respectively with Paul Ojua hitting 11.
Co-op Bank made their contest with Lomboritz look as easy for the winners as soon as it started after the bankers rolled away to an easy 25-7 advantage. But Lomboritz had their fare share of the proceedings when they took the second 16-13 but still trailed 38-23 at the break.
When the game resumed after the ten minutes break, Co-op were at it again building another 25-8 lead that the struggling opponents battled hard to reduce. In the fourth they did but only with a slim 13-11 edge.This yawner, watched by only a few fans, had its exiting moments in only the last quarter.
It was Richard Osano's who sparked the cheers with two rim roasting slams from alley oop passes. Eugene Genga and Salim Ali led Co-op with 15 points each while Allan Ouma nailed 13. Lomboritz, still with only one win to their credit had 11 from Allan Gatembo
Posta played poorly and barely scrapped home to an unconvincing 63-57 victory over winless University of Nairiobi "Terrorists" 63-57. Once again it was the old legs of Ben Oluoch that lifted the team from the jaws of defeat. He hit 20 points for the mailmen.
The campus lads caused all sorts of problems in their best game ever. They were down 12-10 in both the first and the second quarters before the mailmen roared away 29-19 in the second and a close shave taking the last 17-16. Sammy Kiria nailed 21 points and Rodney Genga posted 20 for UoN.
Sprite Storms did not score any points in the last quarter and went on to be embarassed 64-19 by unbeaten Eastern Queens in the women's tie. The leaders topped 16-6, had a poor second quarter 10-8 but went into over drive in the third 21-5 before closing the show with a 18-0 run in the last. In all this effort, only Joyce Nyagol bagged double figures.. She had 10.
Eagle Wings returned after a brief break to hit Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University 61-38. The winners led 18-10 in the first quarter, 11-2 in the second, 14-13 in the third and 18-13 in the fourth. Anastasia Njeri provided 16 points while Bridgit Nanzala made 15. KCA had 13 from Lucy Machuma and 12 from Hellan Atieno.
Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University beat Mennonites 78-65 in a lower division match up. Both sides were tied 32 all at the break. Titus Musembi scored 20 points for the winners while Collins Ochieng shot game high 33 points for the losers.
Africa Nazarene University (ANU) returned to face Parklands Baptist side that slammed them 102-78 and becoming the second side in the lower division to post a century scores. Joseph Situma had 10 points asnd Radcliffe Nyamai hit 20 for the winners. ANU, down 28-46 at the break, had game high 27 from Egdar Kisiali and 19 from Andrew Kihumba.
In a high scoring tie, Mennonites turned on the head in the last half to beat Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) 90-76 after being up 44-32 at half time. Steve McOdongo nailed 22 points while Collins Ochieng scored 21 for the "Knights".. NPC had 17 from Ken Githinji and 13 from Victor McOsewe.
In the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) provincial league matches played at Railways Club, leaders Trailblazers had 18 points from Dennis Oyaro and 11 from Present Orengo as they beat Kenya Polytechnic University 62-56 in a closely fought duel. Poly had 17 from Lameck Obuya.
Baraka Xtreme dressed only six players but still were too smart for a disjointed Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) side whom they blanked 64-50 behind 20 points from Peter Kimani and 14 from George Onasis.Erick Walucho scored 14 for KAA. Manasseh Otieno had 21 to guide Old Pirates to a 47-18 win over Upper Hill School.
Old Pirates pipped Madison 60-54 in a cracker. Eugene Mutekhele contributed 16 points for the winners while Romanus Nehondo bagged 21 for Madison. Xtreme lost 46-55 to Kenya Polytechnic University as Alfrick Agutu hit 14 points for Poly and Baraka had 11 from George Onassis.
Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) broke away late to win 53-38 over Upper Hill Schoool. Geoffrey Sozzi led with 15 and the losers had 18 from Dominic Shitanda.Old Pirates pipped Madison 60-54 in a cracker. Eugene Mutekhele contriburted 16 points for the winners while Romanus Nehondo bagged 21 for Madison.
Baraka lost 46-55 to Kenya Polytechnic as Alfrick Agutu hit 14 points for Poly and Baraka had 11 from George Onassis. Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) broke away late to win 53-38 over Upper Hill Schoool. Geoffrey Sozzi led with 15 and the losers had 18 from Dominic Shitanda.
In the women's matches, Africa Nazarene University (ANU), handled by former national team star Wilkister Oduor continued to improve by the day posting their biggest win with a deserved 37-30 downing of former champions Predators.Hellen Olilo made 17.
Lillian Jonah was on fire as she made 20 points for Predators who preyed on Kenya Polytechnic winning 49-29 as Winni Kanani and Wilikster Oduor made 16 and 14 points respectively. World Hope had 13 from Purity Shelly in a 47-33 win over improved ANU who had Olilo showing the way with 10.Kenya Poly also beat Baraka 48-14.
Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa