Basketball in Africa

Story by CAXTON APOLLO


Former national basketball league champions Co-operative Bank had to battle from behind to beat unlucky Kenyatta University Pirates 84-69 in their return leg tie at Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

Other results were: Telkom (women) 79 Yana 40, Java Warriors 69 Strathmore University 57, Telkom (men) 74 Nairobi Pentecostal Church 69.

Pirates, put up much pressure on the experienced Co-op Bank from the start only to go down in the final quarter.

The students had applied full court press with Griffins Ligare and Paul Ojuoga delivering the goods to lead 30-24 in the first quarter.

Co-op Bank, who clobbered 'Terrorists' 70-40 last weekend, had to quickly change the game strategy to go up 17-13 in the closely contested second quarter.

Pirates continued to play according to coach Waringo Gitau's instructions, maintaining a 43-41 half-time lead. On resumption, Co-op Bank raced to a 20-14 advantage following consecutive three-pointers from George Kamau and John Karonji.

However, Pirates defence surprisingly collapsed in the last quarter through experienced Peter Kiganya's efforts as Co-op Bank outscored them 23-12 to carry the day.

Kiganya scored 19 points, Waruru had 18 while Collins Macharia added 12 for Co-op Bank. Ligare hit 21 points while Martin Obure replied with 18 for the students.

In the women's tie, Caroline Arato poured in 22 points, Rebecca Sarange had 17 while Joyce Makungu added 13 as Telkom humiliated newcomers Yana 79-40.

Telkom, who rocked Sprite Storms 62-41 last weekend, proved a force to reckon with taking a commanding 34-19 half-time lead. Ruth Wasike scored 12 points and Valnet Wanyama managed 11 for Yana.

Strathmore University suffered their third consecutive defeat in the Division One league when Java Warriors beat them 69-57. Coach Mike Muriithi's Java Warriors' overpowered the students from the start to lead 41-29 at the breather.

Anthony Kamau fired 13 points and team-mate Eric Omari contributed 12 for Java.

Paul Nyakinda worked hard to hit a game-high 21 points while Kennedy Maru provided 14 for Strathmore.

Telkom men's team staged a last minute hard fight as they battled from behind to defeat Nairobi Pentecostal Church 74-69.

Telkom had made a false start allowing NPC to lead 38-30 at half-time. David Maina shot 27 points, Maxwell Kaunda had 20 which included five three-pointers while Godfrey Abuya scored 10 for Telkom.

Radhi Ndalu had 17 points while Marvin Ocholla connected 16 for NPC.