NAIROBI (Dstv Premier League) - Strathmore University stunned former national champions Ulinzi Warriors 63-62 in a premier league clash at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
This game, the first to be played at night under the floodlights courtesy of Code Red and watched by a good crowd, saw the students claw back from an 18 points hole to snatch a dramatic buzzer-beater win.
With less than three seconds to play, Strathmore were trailing by two points and all seemed lost. But an inexplicable personal foul by Ulinzi sent the "Blades" to the line for two shots. They sunk one and regained control with only a second left. David Ogolla then tossed in a last gasp three pointer that did the soldiers in.
Ogolla shot 16 points while Ronny Gundo, who anchored a final Strathmore charge scored 14.
The hard working Victor Odendo led all scorers with 24 points and John Apolla added 10, but it was not enough to save Ulinzi blushes.
In another upset, Blazers clipped Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 72-63 in their biggest win so far in the top tier. Joel Atebe scored 18 points while Mutwiri Kiogora added 12. For the porters, Sam Odera scored 15 and Tony Okello 12.
The weekend ended on a high note for Ulinzi Warriors, who recovered from their defeat to Strathmore to beat Thunder 63-46. having trailed 29-33 before staging a remarkable recovery that saw them turn the tables. Victor Odendo was on fire once again, sinking 19 points with Ben Mufutu scoring 10. KPA's Dominic Shitandi scored 11
KPA recovered from that upset to overcome Mennonites 76-60 in their other weekend premier league clash. Sam Ocholla scored 19 points while Tony Okello made 13 for the victors. Collins Ouko was Mennonites top scorer with 18.
In the women's premier tie, reigning champions KPA - pipped 49-45 by Eagle Wings - overcame a 43-65 deficit to overcome Sprite Storms. Hellen Oketch scored 18 points and while veteran Joyce Makungu contribited nine. Storms had 17 from Susan Akinyi and 16 from Jacky Purity.
FIBA
Dann O. Werre