Basketball in Africa

Champions steal march on rivals in tense match

Results
Marines 64 Power 58
Lead series 2-0
Bucks 59 Leopards 49
Lead series 2-0
Crane High 55 KCC Lions 65
UCU 59 Riders 45


SADOLIN Power put up tough resistance but it was not enough to save them from defeat against Nkumba Marines yesterday in game two of the MTN Basketball League best of five final play-off series at YMCA Wandegeya courts.

The 2000 champions lost the first two quarters 12-14, 12-18 respectively but almost finished the third with a 50-47 lead had it not been Moses Olobo's three-pointer at the buzzer that leveled the scores at 50 apiece.

Marines snatched away the win in the fourth quarter 14-8 but the game was tightly contested.
Kenyan import Michael Karuiki with 16 points, Richard Balemwa (15) and Mark Enabu were the top scorers for Power.

Reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Norman Blick collected a game high 18 points including 3 shoots outside the arc while his brother Donald grabbed 15 to win 64-58.

Marines now lead the series 2-0 and can wrap up the championship on Sunday with victory in game three.
Power fear a repeat of last years finals in which they lost the best of five series 0-3, but their big name players have simply failed to make an impact.

Ken Balyejjusa posted only two points while Wilbrod Oketcho had only two points.
In the girls final, Lady Bucks kept on track with a 59-49 win over pre-season favourites KCC Leopards. Frances Nabulobi had a game high 20 points, Judith Akoth picked up12 and former MVP Flavia Oketcho 9 for Lady Bucks.

For Leopards, Linda Tamale garnered 15 and Miriam Hamala 10 but have one chance to save their title hopes.