National champions KCB Lions and Masinde Muliro University of Agriculture and Technology (MMUST) stopped International Christian Center (ICC) charge to premier league recognition in a week of drama at the bankers Sports Club in Ruaraka.
The bankers got off to a slippery start trailing 31-38 at the breather. They however staged a remarkable rally after intermission to take maximum points from this hard fought 63-62 triumph.
Towering Roy Kahure has continued to impress since moving to Lions few months ago and collected 23 points on the night, while Yoni Wanambiro made 11; Griffin Ligare bagged 14 for the losing team.
Co-operative Bank of Kenya beat Mainde Muliro University of Agriculture and Technology (MMUST) 66-55 to hang on to second spot. Peter Kiganya shot 20 points for the regional champions. Martin Gitonga pepped the students with 15 points.
Posta continued their impressive run with a 64-30 thumping of Univesity of Nairobi. The mailmen led 33-19 at the break and had Desmond Owili scoring 16 and William Ochieng adding 12. Sammy Kiria and Hillary Kubai provided a combined 20 points for UoN.
MMUST were in a class of their own as they stunned ICC 85-70. It was ICC who got off the blocks strongly taking a comfortable 46-28 half time advantage.
But if they thought they had this tie wrapped up, they were dead wrong as the students staged a remarkable recovery after intermission.
MMUST, who have now won 10 matches and are on 24 points, started raining shots from all corners scoring a staggering 57 points in the two halves to compeletely turn the tables on theit oponents who have now 31 points.
Fred Osore was the destroyer in chief leading the scoring chart with 27 points while Martin Gitonga nailed another 16. For ICC, Griffin Ligare who shot 24 and James Omune added 18.
Second placed Co-op had 15 points from Peter Kiganya as they dismissed Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University 53-49. Co-op now have 34 points, three behind leaders KCB Lions. The students had 17 points from Robert Otieno.
Strathmore University's sad slide continued when they were hit 49-41 by rivals United States International University (USIU) "Tigers" who had 18 points from Arou Chan and 15 from Chris Mulumba. David Ogolla and Edwin Otula each made 12 for the losers.
In the women's league, Faith Owich was good for 20 points as she guided Strathmore University Blades to a 56-41 win over rivals United States International University (USAIU). Debrah Chan was the Flames toast with 14 points. Blades now have 26 points
Yana snatched a dramatic 35-33 win over Sprite Storms as Mitchel Odendo registered 10 while Emma Nyakweba was held for a low of nine points.
Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University hit Predators 61-49 as Sylvia Oguse managed 19 points losers Caroline Achieng bagged 16 for Predators.
Dann O'Werre
FIBA