National champions KCB Lions slipped but rose again on the second day as FIBA Africa Zone Five champions Co-operative Bank of Kenya and Eagle Wings easily won their premier league games at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium over the weekend.
Co-op torched International Christian Center (ICC) 67-46 in the men's game while reigning women champions Eagle Wings thrashed Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University 93-27.
ICC, who the previous day beat league leaders Posta 75-71 were made to look ordinary by the bankers who were up 37-23 at half time. Nelson Njau nailed 15 points while Eugene Genga scored 14. James Omune hit 16 points for ICC, who scored 23 points in the last two halves.
Champions KCB Lions recovered from their shock 65-61 defeat at the hands of Strathmore University to pip United States International University (USIU) 48-45. Lions led 22-20 at the break. Tobias Onyango posted 17 points in this unconvincing win. Arou Chan hit 11 for Tigers.
Strathmore took a 38-30 half time margin against KCB and never let go the advantage. The upset gave them their eighth win of the season. They have now bagged 23 points from 15 matches. David Ogolla scored 16 points while Frank Simiyu posted 15 for Blades.
It was Lions second loss in 13 matches o far played this year. Roy Kahure nailed 17 points while the usually dangerous Tobias Onyango was restricted to an all time low of 12, his worst outing in the league in years.
International Christian Center (ICC) beat Posta 75-71 in a tight show. The win saw them moved to the top with 25 points, same as the mailmen, had 30 points from Griffin Ligare and 14 from Ben Ogolla. Both sided tied 38-38 at the break.
Posta had 19 from William Ochieng and 16 from Ancette Wafula whose last second three point attempt that would have send the game into over time just rolled out of the rim. ICC finished the double over the losers.
USIU did turn on the heat to beat Blazers 77-69. The Tigers took a 31-28 half tie lead and had Chris Mulumba with 18 points. Joel Atebe continued his hot shooting streak sinking game high 29 for the hapless Blazers.
Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University beat University of Nairobi "Terrorists" 57-52. Roberts Otieno scored 12 points for the winners who topped 26-20 at half time.
Reigning women champions Eagle Wings thrashed Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University 93-27 behind 19 points from Janet Okoth, 15 from Mildred Akinyi and 12 from Caroline Achieng. The students had 10 from Lucy Machuma.
It was double trouble for USIU as their ladies side, Flames were hammered 62-22 by Sprite Storms who had national team star player Emma Nyakwena scoring 23 while Sali Bore managed 11.
Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa