Basketball in Africa

By Charles Mutebi and Chris Ocowun

STEVEN Okias, Joshua Etalu and Francis Kasekende shook off the lag of the long trip to lead the Kyambogo Warriors to an 85-58 away victory over the Gulu Hawks in the MTN-sponsored FUBA men’s division one league on Sunday.
The trio scored 14 points each as the Warriors ensured they end the league’s first round with a two-point advantage atop the men’s top flight with 17 points.
Even defeat would have given last year’s finalists a one-point lead over second-place KIU (15 points) at the recess but defeating the Warriors was always a big task for the Hawks, for whom Moses Ochan top-scored with 18 points.
That said, overpowering the Hawks is no mean task as the Nkumba Marines found out a day earlier.
The two-time champions were upset 97-73, a result that ensured the Hawks, promoted from the second division this season, ended the first round with four wins, three of them against sides that have been in the top division for years.