26 November 2006

KENYA : Lakeside drown the Warriors

Kisumu Lakeside beat Nairobi's Java Warriors 68-66 in Game Two to become the 2006 basketball Division One league champions at Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium on Friday.

Nyanza's representatives Lakeside, had rocked Java Warriors 67-61 in Game One in the best-of-three series final in Kisumu a week ago. Friday's victory saw Lakeside dash Java's hopes on a 2-0 basis to claim the title on their first attempt.
Both Java and Lakeside booked a ticket to the Premier League next year by virtue of sailing into the men's Division One play-off final. Lakeside and Java had eliminated Mennonites and Strathmore University 2-0 in the semi-final.
On Friday, Java had put a scare on Lakeside, racing to a 17-16 first quarter lead thanks to Anthony Mbori, who hit eight points. Lakeside settled down immediately and after leading 21-19 in the first quarter, tied the game 32-32 at half-time.
With two minutes and 40 seconds left, Java unlocked a 62-62 tie to go up three points at 65-62 through Mbori and Richard Sinda's effort. Java however got careless and Wycliffe Jean of Lakeside was left loose to lock the game 66-66 with 10 seconds left.
Jean sealed Java's fate when he sunk the winning basket from a fast break as the buzzer sounded for a 68-66 score.

In the women's Game Two match, champions Kenya Ports Authority were denied a chance to retain the cup on a 2-0 lbasis when hosts Telkom rocked them 68-57.
The victory saw Telkom who had lost 71-59 in Game One in Mombasa tie the series 1-1 to force the decisive Game Three yesterday.
The match was delayed by five minutes after KPA protested over top ranked international referee Joseph Amoko who they wanted withdrawn. Amoko however stayed on. Telkom went dry for the six opening minutes.
After Caroline "Majeng'' Achieng opened Telkom's scoresheet with two free-throws, KPA's Ethel Wakesho, who was later ejected, added salt to an injury with a three-pointer.
KPA built a huge 16-2 lead as their supporters broke into lound drum dancing forcing Telkom coach Thomas "Smart's Olumbo to seek a referees' intervention.
Telkom bounced from the cold to settle down in the second quarter with Frida Makokha's critical basket tying the game 29-29 at half-time.
The introduction of Mical Odhiambo in the third quarter changed the game plan for Telkom as KPA tactician Anthony Ojukwu got confused after making unnecessary substitutions.
Teamwork paid dividends for Telkom who contained the pressure mounted by KPA to lock the game 34-34, 41-41 and 43-43 in the tough third quarter. Rebecca Sarange hit a celebrated free-throw which earned Telkom a hard laboured first lead at 44-43. KPA lost Wakesho on foul trouble as Fadhya Mohammed tied it again at 45-45.
Experienced Joyce Makungu was Telkom's secret weapon scoring 100 percent from the free-throw line. She contributed 14 points in the last quarter to carry the day for the Nairobi side.
Makungu shot 23 points, Eunice Ouma had 11 for Telkom while Wakesho and Miriam Awuor each connected 10 points for KPA.

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