Basketball in Africa

M: Warriors 87-80 KIU
W: KCC 101-27 Mak Cubs
Today at YMCA
KIU v A1 (6.30pm

Kyambogo Warriors moved closer to the leading pack in the MTN-Fuba League with an 87-80 victory over KIU Titans at YMCA court, Wednesday night.

The former champions improved their season to 5-1, just one triumph behind joint leaders Miracle Eagles and champions DMark Power (both 6-1).

In all, this was one of Warriors’ most ruthless performances though KIU might look at the final scoreboard and find solace. The latter only earned respect in the final four minutes having barely made it a contest prior to this. Coach Mandy Juruni had the luxury of giving all his stars a breather for most of the fourth period having held a 23-point lead for most of the game.
Guard Ronnie Kasewu was unplayable early on when he made four of his first five three-point attempts. He eventually finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Cheers for Gombya
Juruni’s side partly shed the recent slow starts to take the first quarter 29-20 and nearly closed out the game 28-8 in the third after KIU had taken the second 17-12.
By the time KIU rallied to clinch the ultimate period 35-18, Warriors were never going to be touched after Eric Malinga notched 21.
Eric, Kasewu, Steven Okias (16), Michael Kariuki (5) and Henry Malinga (5) left the court early for Sam Gombya (7) to receive all the cheers.
Nimrod Kaboha, the KIU coach, was pleased with former Warriors Joshua Etalu’s futile 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists but not the final outcome as the university side slid to 3-4.
Brian Wati, who started the game with a monster dunk, ended with 14 points. Elsewhere, Power’s game with 7UPFalcons scheduled for today has been postponed after the champions got an invitation to play in Juba, South Sudan this weekend.

The world’ newest country is marking independence on Monday. In the women’s game, KCC Leopards humbled Makerere Cubs 101-27.