By Charles Mutebi
MTN-FUBA League
Men: Division 1
KIU 58 Falcons 45
Marines 90 Riders 77
Ndejje 75 Canons 71
Women
Bucks 69 Rhinos 61
Leopards 72 A1 57
IF KIU are to get into the MTN-FUBA men’s first division playoffs, Michael Kariuki must continue his impressive form.
That way, Nimrod Kaboha will be able to concentrate on sorting out the team’s other departments confident he has a centre to rival the very best in the league.
At YMCA on Saturday, Kariuki netted a game-high 23 points as KIU recorded a 58-45 victory over the depleted Mountain Dew Falcons, who have already qualified for the playoffs.
With the exception of Eric Malinga, Falcons were without their starting five –– Steven Omony and Henry Malinga due to injury and Isaac Luggudde and Sunday Okot who are suspended.
Kariuki maximised the absence of Henry Malinga, the league’s best centre, to put in another match-winning performance for the KIU side that have moved to fourth position with four games to the end of the regular season.
This result also ensured the race for the final playoffs spot remains stiff as the Nkumba Marines and Ndejje Angels –– the other sides in contention –– also recorded victories in their respective games.
Nkumba overcame Knight Riders 90-77 while Ndejje defeated UCU Canons 75-71 also at YMCA.
Marines, who are fifth, are level on 21 points with KIU but have an inferior points difference. Angels are sixth with 20 points.
Meanwhile, in the ladies league, Becky Akullo sunk a game-high 30 points as KCC Leopards ended A1 Challenge’s unbeaten run with a 72-57 win. A1 had not lost in 14 matches since the season started.