Basketball in Africa

Results – Friday
Power 70-79 Warriors
Women
Sparks 49-55 KIU
Today at YMCA
Nkumba v UCU (7.30pm)
Power v Riders (5.30pm)
Rhino v Vegetarian (1.30pm)
UCU JV v Planets (11.30am)
Crane v Ssaku (9.30am)
Women
Bucks v Stormers (3.30pm)

For five months, Kyambogo Warriors have searched for the right gear for a big night until they found one at YMCA court, Wandegeya on Friday. And when they needed it, the old guard came up with the goods as the champions beat DMark Power 79-70 to set up a grand finale for the final play-off spot with Miracle Eagles next Sunday.

A persistent knee injury has limited Steven Okias appearances this season but his match-winning 24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists must have relieved some of the pain even though he limped off late in the final period.

When Okias needed support, he got it in Ronnie Kasewu. The MVP recovered from malaria in time to chip with a double-double of 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as they took the four quarters 16-18, 15-14, 23-16 and 25-22 respectively.

The biggest crowd of the season witnessed immense desire that has been missing from Warriors against a side that has already booked their postseason slot. “Our biggest challenge was to respond to the challenge upon us as a unit with all the desire we could possibly have,” Gad Eteu, Warriors coach, told Sunday Monitor.

Eteu had every reason to be pleased as they negated most of Power’s fast breaks despite his guard Jude Ochen (3) committing six costly turnovers. Norman Blick faded late but a haul 29 points, 10 rebounds and four assists was descent consolation as Isaac Afidra (7) and Ben Komaketch (2) struggled to make an impact. Joseph Ikong added 10 points.