Basketball in Africa

By Dann O’werre

Brenda Odula nailed a three pointer at the buzzer to guide Sprite Storms to a close 40-39 upset win of national champions, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), in a tight and entertaining Premier League tie at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium yesterday.
In a nip and tuck tie that would have gone either way, Storms trailed 8-9 in the first quarter but recovered to take a 19-17 lead at the breather. A basket by Mwajuma Suleiman saw KPA take the third quarter 30-28 setting stage for a dramatic fourth.
Storms regained the advantage at 35-32 on shots by Linda Alando and Emma Nyakweba, but again KPA stormed back as Irene Murambi’s two foul shots and a Joyce Makungu’s basket saw KPA swing the tie 38-35 in the ports women’s favour.
Odula banked a lay up for 37-38 and Agnes Anyango hit one foul shot for a 39-37 KPA edge. With the clock ticking away, Odula unveiled a three pointer from the top of the key that touched nothing but twine, sparking celebrations all over the court.
Angela Luchivya scored 10 points, while Alando and Odula combined for another 17 points haul for Storms who do not even turn up for training these days. KPA, who lacked cohesion in their attacks, had 11 from Caroline Arato with no one hitting double figures.

Posta...74, Jkuat.... 34

Franklin Delano shot 23 points while Ben Oluoch added 12 as Posta crushed Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) 74-34. The losers who trailed 21-33 at the break had seven points from Franko Macharia. At the Nairobi Railways Club, Kenya Polytechnic beat Baraka Xtreme .