Basketball in Africa

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology- JKUAT men's basketball team-Straycats, hit Kenya College of Accountancy-KCA 50-41 in an entertaining UCBL game played at their backyard on Sunday. KCA squandered a first quarter advantage, allowing Straycats to outscore them 15-08 in the second quarter after aggressive plays from Allan Ouma, Ojay Barnet, and Roy Kahure to lead 23-17 at the break. The third quarter was more explosive, with the home team, backed by a sizeable cheering squad maintained their offensive plays, as KCA struggled to keep up. JKUAT's Mikah Okinya led the Straycats attack, sinking baskets at will, backed by Fred Magana as they stretched their lead to 37-25 lead at the end of the quarter. KCA bounced back in the final quarter, managing to outscore the home team 16-13 after much effort from Daniel Imba, and Victor Okello. However, that was not enough to secure them a win, as time ran-out for a 50-41 JKUAT win. Mikah Okinya led Straycats with 12 points, while Daniel Imba shot a game high 20 points for KCA.

In the Ladies game, United States International University-USIU Flames defeated Strathmore University- Swords 29-18. Strathmore went up 4-0 after quick baskets by Faith Owitch inside a minute of play. Flames recovered midway through the quarter to lead 6-5 after good runs by national team players Angela Okoth and Samba Mjomba. USIU stepped up their game in the second quarter, taking Strathmore on full court press. Strathmore succumbed to the Flames-Pressure, turning over the ball numerous times and were punished for that as Flames went up 11-06 after conceding only a free-throw. Both teams traded baskets at both ends on resumption into the second half, with Okoth, Sally Bosire and Evelyn Sande leading the Flames onslaught, while Linet Mukiri, Beryl Amayo and Faith Owitch kept Strathmore afloat, for a 17-10 score-line at the end of the quarter. Strathmore fought back early in the final quarter through Amayo and Mukiri, who combined well to bring Strathmore within three-points (14-17) with eight minutes to go, prompting Flames Coach Harrison Omondi to call for a time out. On resumption, the Flames were at it again, this time going for the wrap, through Bosire, Okoth and Sande who sunk her second 3-pointer of the game for a 28-18 score-line with 30 seconds remaining. Sally Bosire had 10 points, Angela Okoth 9 and Evelyn Sande 8 for Flames, while Faith Owitch bagged 8 points for Strathmore University-Swords.

The UCBL Leagues continues next weekend at USIU basketball courts with more than 16 games lined scheduled.