Basketball in Africa

National champions KCB Lions over the weekend roared to the top of the premier league after a hard fought 78-72 win over United States International University (USIU) in a match played at the World Hope Center.

Lions took a close 37-32 advantage at the break and were one point better in the last half in a game that saw Tobias Onyango torch the students with game high 34 points. The Tigers Abel Nson managed to bag his side's 23 points. KCB have 26 points.

Ealy pace setters International Christian Center (ICC) went to the break trailing 21-25 but recovered in time to beat University of Nairobi "Terrorists" 53-47 in another closely pitted tie. Live wire Griffin Ligare topped with 17 points while Ken Kithinji shot UoN's 14.

In Mombasa. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) beat Posta 70-59 to tie with Lions at the top of the table with 26 points, but the porters have played a game less and will most likely complete their fixtures at the top with two more wins. Posta took the fight to KPA.

At the same venue, reigning women champions KPA on the other hand were on a roll thrashing the visiting Sprite Storms 94-7 in a one sided demolition that saw the Nairobi side, led by national team captain Angela Luchivya offered little resistance.

Eagle Wings remained the only side yet to lose a game save for the two walkovers they gave earlier on. They were a team on fire as they tormented Yana winning 72-29 after taking a 38-17 advantage at the end of the first half. The tire makers were hit in all quarters.

In the lower division match , Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University succumbed to a shock 70-71 loss to Blazers who are third from the bottom of the table. Despite this harsh lesson, the students will make it to the play offs not lower than in the third place.

Eastern Queens beat United States International University (USIU) 46-28 in a premier league clash at Kenya Methodist Universiuty in Meru to remain top of the women's nine team table.

Queens were pepped by national eam star Hilda Indasi who posted 13 points. Mitchelle Otinda also managed 13. For the losers, Linda Mfuchi was the main players providing 10 with Linda Sirma hitting seven.

At the World Hope Centere, Nairobi, Strathmore University Swords were awarded their game against Mennonites on a 20-0 basis. Bottom placed Mennonites failed to show up for this crucial fixtures.

In a Division One tie played at the same venue, Nakuru Club lead 24-17 at the break but could not finish the job as they allowed Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University to ride back in the last half to win 60-37.Victor Okello hit 11 points, Jeremy Kwando added 12 for the students. Joseph Ngochi led the visitors with 17.

Blazers crushed host World Hope 70-59 in another lower division show. Joel Atebe hit 12 points while John Gicheru and Mutwiri Kiogora had 11 each for the winners. Hope had 18 from Daniel Omondi, 14 from Moses Musele and 11 from Eric Khayere.

Kenya Poytechnic University teams were shut out of the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) play off finals when they lost to Nairobi Aviation College and Predators respectively in Game Five of the men and women semi finals played at Railways Club.

Brandon Ouma nailed 17 points to lead NAC to a 63-46 win and a 3-2 series victory. Poly had 10 from Hillary Kirubi. Predators also claimed a 3-2 come from behind series win with a 63-43 win as Winnie Kanani posted 15 and Diana Sari added 13.

Kenya Polytechnic University had crashed 32-49 to Predators in Game Four match played a day earlier to tie the series 2-2 . Sophie Mohamnmed and Pamella Ikonga had 12 points each while Poly had 12 from Euphrasia Kageha.

In Game Four, Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) also forced game five with an easy 75-52 thumping of Kenya Poly. Geoffrey Ssozi had 19 points and Alvin Mbaluka hit 13. Poly had 12 from Edgar Giliani.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa