Basketball in Africa

National champions KCB Lions thrashed International Christian Center (ICC) 72-57 in a top premier league show at Nayo National Stadium gymnasium.

The bankers roared to a 5-0 opening the show with a Juma Ikapian three pointer followed by a basket by Tobias Onyango before Nelson Njau replied with a three pointer. Lions then raced to a 23-13 first quarter advantage.
The second quarter was a close affair but KCB, who kept dangerman Griffin Ligare in close checks still topped 17-13. Ligare had only four points to his name. The teams went to the brea with Lions taking a 40-24 lead.
After the break Ligare hit a reverse lay up as ICC went 4-0, but Lions response was a scintilatting play that started deep with fast passes that was completed by Onyango without the ball even touching the ground. He hit another one for a 44-28 cushion.
Another exiting play resulted in a basket by Tony Mbori before Onyango baseline three point jumper pushed the scores to 49-29. Ligare was pulled out and was a forgotten man on the bench as ICC made desperate substitutions that bore no fruits.
As the last quarter started, KCB were up 58-40 but they committed three fouls within under a minute as the two teams went scoreless for over two minutes. Aleu Dhol made the first basket and when Ligare checked back with 7:14 to play, ICC posed many problems.
The Eric Omari made Lions opening basket in this period and soon the lead skied to 66-41 before Griffin made crucial threes, including one that saw him thread the ball between the legs of an opponent picked it up and bang, that drew a huge applause. It reduced the lead to 18 points.
But then, this game expected to be all fire, was all over as a contest.. Onyango led Lions, who have now 15 points from eight games, with 4 points, Ikapian settled for 14 while Dennis Opiyo picked his mark with 12. ICC had 20 from Ligare and James Omune hit 12.

United States Intenational University (USIU) stunned Co-operative Bank of Kenya 81-78 in another tight clash.After that great display against Posta, a week ago, the bankers left chasing shadows most of the time confounded again.

The students, who seemed to have prepared well for this tie, went ahead 25-24 lift off in the first qurater. But their best effort was still to come as they out witted the former four time champions 19-10 in the second quarter with free shooting Abel Nson leading the way.

Sensing the game was getting out of hand, Richard Osano and Allan Ouma then brought Co-op back taking a 27-19 advantage after the break. Despite another 20-15 claw back in the last, USIU hanged on for their two precious points.

Nson drainied season high 33 points while Chris Mulumba chipped in with 17 for Tigers, who won only their second game in six outings to gunner 8 points. Co-op, with four wins an four loses had 19 from Osano, 17 from Allan Ouma and 11 from Roy Kahure. They have 12 points.

But It was misery for USIU Flames as they were doused 47-46 by new comers Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University. Everlyne Adhiambo post 16 and Monica Odhiambo score 15. USIU, down 17-27 at the break, had Evlyne Nora sinking 18.KCA have four wins against USIU's two having played a game more.

In Mombasa, Kenya Ports Authority KPA) also had a great week as they humiliatyed the visiting Strthmore University sides in matches played at the Makende Welfare Hall. KPA men had 18 points each from siblings Furaha and Musa Odari and Patrick Kirui then Java Odhiambo hit 12 and Mike Opel 10 in a 91-52 win over Blades.

The women's side were on a roll with a whopping 100-8 thrashing of Swords as Yvonne Akinyi collected 21 points while Caroline Mureji added 12 in that lopsided demolition. KPA are unbeaten from six games and tops thechart with 12 points.

Eastern Queens tormented Mennonites hitting them 94-29 in a one sided fixture. Linda Alando lead the rout with 17 points while Hilda Indasi managed to hit 13. Queens have 10 points from five wins. The losers, with one win out of eight, were led by Susan Anyango who made 11 points.

Eagle Wings bolted off strong taking a 33-12 lead at the break before humiliating Sprite Storms 66-25 in an easy women's game. Anastasia Njeri was good for 13 points in that win that saw non of the losers score in double figures.

In the lower division, Gerald Mwangi nailed 21 points to propell KCA to a 67-59 win over Parklands Baptist who had 17 points from Radcliffe Nyamai. World Hope hit Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) 63-49 behind Maurice Obilo's 20 points. Jay Michoma scored 12 for the losers.

Host Nakuru club shut out Africa Nazarane University (ANU) 52-51 and Baptists hit Africa Nazarene University (ANU) 67-55.

And in the Nairobi Basketball Association, leaders Trailblazers beat Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) 77-41as Steve Okwako made 14 points while Kevin Otieno hit similar number for KAA.

KAA recovered to hit Balozi 68-45 as Otieno shot 31 points. Dennis Opondo had the losers 19.Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) shut out Baraka Xtyreme 49-42 in an interesting tie. Geoffrey Kuleta hit 14 Calvis Apwoka had the losers 14.

Friends of Basketball (FOB) beat Emyba 47-44 in another closely fought duel. Joseph Achege potted 15 points for the winners. Roy Javan nailed 13.Hillary Kubai shot 11 to guide Kenya Ploytechnicto a 35-27 win over Upper Hill School.

Savio Kanyanja scored 15 points as Balozi beat Satelite Mercenaries 37-22. Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) beat Kenya Polytechic University 60-52 behind Alvin Mbalukas' 1 points Poly had 10 from Lameck Ombuya.

The women's matches, ANU clobbered Baraka Xtreme 36-16 with Irene Kimani leading the way with 11 points.

Winnie Kanani scored 21 points and Wilkister Oduor make 17 as Predatots hit Baraka 57-6 while Nairoi Deaf Queens puit up a fight before losing 46-21 to Kenya Poly. The deaf teams got new uniforms from the NBA.

The kit, handed over by chairman Ronnie Owino was received from Kent University in the USA courtesy of former national team player, Lorraine Odhiambo who is playing for the team.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa