Basketball in Africa

by Caxton Apollo
Nairobi

Kenya Ports Authority men and women's basketball teams emerged victorious in their Premier League return leg matches at the Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

The dockwomen, who are the defending champions were first on the floor where they emerged with 63-20 thrashing of winless University of Nairobi's Dynamites
The men followed suit, running riot with a huge 105-83 rout of Kenyatta University Pirates.

In the men's Division One tie, Tony Abondo hit 15 points while Ben Oluoch and Franklin Ochieng each 12 as Posta maintained their unbeaten record with a 89-50 victory over Mennonites.

Pirates, who are officially out of the play-offs running, got off to a good start with Griffins Ligare, Philip Dinga and James Omune scoring three-pointers at will. After Pirates raced 27-25 first quarter lead, the dockmen immediately changed their game plan to counter attack them.
Hannington Sitati, Dinga and Ligare of Pirates continued to give KPA headache as their hard work saw the students keep a 29-26 first quarter advantage. The Pirates led 50-48 at half-time.
On resumption, Pirates still had a 71-69 edge as KPA started chasing the ball all over the court.
Veterans Francis Odari, Dan Okwiri and Patrick Kirui took the match by th scruff of the neck to take KPA up 93-76. The fate of Pirates was sealed in the last quarter in which Odari and Okwiri crossed a century mark at 102-77.
Kirui scored 16 points, Musa Odari hit 15, John Apollo connected 14 and Francis Odari 11 for KPA. Ligare scored 28 and Dinga 17 for Pirates.
Velma Juma provided game-high 13 points as champions KPA dislodged Sprite Storms from the second spot following their 63-20 win over Dynamites.

Double figures

KPA increased their points tally from 16 to 18. They have won eight matches and two loses. After going up easily 21-4 in the opening quarter, the portswomen led 32-9 at half-time. None of the Dynamites players scored in double figures.
Posta keep their unbeaten record intact in 14 matches when they walloped Mennonites 89-50. Posta, who head the table standings with 28 points from 14 consecutive wins, led 48-19 at half-time.
Lawrence Ndegwa of Mennonites scored six three-pointers emerging the top scorer with 18 points while Steve Mc'odongo managed 11.