Basketball in Africa

By Dann O’Werre

University of Nairobi Terrorists gave Co-operative Bank of Kenya a big scare before going down 67-69 in Game One playoff tie at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

Co-op’s Horace Nyadera hit the opening basket before Eugene Genga’s led the campus lads to control the proceedings. They scored 13 straight points to take a 15-2 lead and a 19-8 first quarter edge.

Terrorists were ahead at the break, leading 35-26 and 53-38 at the start of the last quarter. Then things went awry for the students as they committed mindless turn overs as Co-op charged back to lock the duel 62-62 on a Lewis Muya’s three-pointer.

Muya then hit a free shot and added two more as Terrorists collapsed. He scored 12 points, Nyadera nailed 13 and Cliff Ochieng bagged 12 for the bankers. Terrorists had 20 from man of the match Genga, Moses Kamau 14 and Eric Maosa 10.

KPA.....73 Jkuat....70

In a fiercely contested Division One tie, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) played a game of their lives, but fell short as they tumbled 70-73 to Kenya Ports Authority. The porters, seeking a ticket to the Premier League next year, trailed most of the time and had 19 points from a former Ulinzi forward, John Apollo, 15 from Duke Masaki and 13 from Lucky Douglas.

Joseph Khaemba scored 17 points, Mike Opinya 13 and Roy Kahure added 11 for Jkuat who took a close 39-38 lead at the breather.

Telkom....87 Mennonites.....76

International Ancette of Telkom nailed 33 points, Ben Mufutu contributed 15 and Geoffrey Abuya posted another 13 as Telkom beat Mennonites 87-73 and also moved close to a top action return.

Games Two and Three will be played next weekend.