Basketball in Africa

By Dann O’were

Co-operative Bank of Kenya blanked Kenyatta University (KU) Pirates 69-62 in a basketball Premier League game at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
The former four-time national champions, who so far remain unbeaten, went ahead 19-13 in the first quarter and increased their command to a 40-29 difference at the break.
After resumption, KU had proven to be the better side. Danger man Girffin Ligare’s crisp perimeter shooting saw the students come out best with 19-18 and 14-11 margins.
International Cliff Ochieng and Musa Odari scored 19 points each for the bankers. For KU, Ligare hit game high 25 that included five three-pointers and Phil Dinga added 16.

In the lower division, Radhi Ndalu was impressive with 24 points as he guided Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) to a close 67-63 win over Africa Nazarene University (ANU). Allan Yongo made ANU’s 22.

Mennonites fell one point short of reaching a century mark when they whitewashed Langata Crusaders 99-36. Joshua Vuva posted 31 and William Ochieng hit 30 while Fidel Maithya managed 14 for Langata.

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) crushed Blazers 85-58. Allan Ouma recored 18 points and Willy Mastermet 12 in that victory. Ken Keya of the losing team responded with 16 points.

Meanwhile, it is now official that national women’s champions, Telkom, have withdrawn from the Premier League.
The Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) chairman, Agina Wesonga, confirmed the development at the Nyayo National Stadium at the weekend.
"We have received an official communication from the management of Telkom confirming that the women’s team will not feature in this year’s basketball programme," Wesonga told SportFest.
While the women’s team has been shown the door, their male counterparts will continue featuring in the league.

# posted by afrbk : 12:54