KENYA : Strathmore University stun KPA

Strathmore University stunned Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 68-54 in a top premier league match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

The students, whose coach Tony Ochieng had guaranteed a win just hours before tip off, swarmed the former champions, giving them no space to breathe. And the tactic paid off as the unrelenting Blades led 29-24 at the break.

And they picked up where they left off in the third quarter, with the backcourt of Paul 'Pablo' Nyakinda and Arthur Ameso setting the pace. Following an 84-54 defeat against Posta the previous week, Strath proved equal to the task this time.

KPA, who had hammered Blazers 72-39 the previous day behind a combined 23 points from Mike Opel and Joseph Ouma, found Strathmore a different proposition than what they expected.
Nyakinda had a game-high 20 in the winning cause. KPA had no player score in double-digits.

Meanwhile, International Christian Centre (ICC) came from behind to dismiss the University of Nairobi (UoN) 81-68.

ICC trailed 33-29 after two quarters but a strong second half saw them cruise to a relatively comfortable victory. James Omune went for 23 points while Griffin Ligare added 19. UoN got 17 from Sammy Kiria and 12 from Ken Kithinji.

In the women's top flight, KPA coasted to a 47-36 win over a rejuvenated Yana. The Ports' women, who lost their national title to Eagle Wings last year, went ahead 12-4 in the first quarter and never looked back.

Elsewhere, Mennonites edged out newly-promoted Predators 48-44 in a closely fought tie.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa