30 April 2012
KENYA : Co-op Bank open season with win over MMUST
Updated on 30/04/12 | By BRIAN AYIEKO
University side Masinde Muliro on Sunday scared Co-operative bank in the ongoing Kenya Basketball Federation Premier League in a match the reigning champions narrowly won 83 – 77 at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium as the basketball league kicked off.
The students were charged up in the last game of the day and by the 1st quarter they led their more physical superior opponents 21 – 19. In the 2nd quarter the two teams were head to head but Masinde Muliro managed to take the quarter by a single point 22-23 points. The total points at the end of the quarter saw Co- op bank trail the Kakamega based students 41 – 44.
The home side Cop-Bank was more physical and aggressive in their approach in the third quarter with a comeback that earned them a 18-15 win. At the end of the 3rd quarter both teams were level on 59 points inviting a thrilling final quarter.
The final moments of the match were punctuated by tension with both ends keen to avoid mistakes that could punish them in the end. But Cooperative Bank pinned the pressure on the students with experience and capitalizing on their errors in defense to win the quarter 24- 18 and take home the match.
Co-op bank head coach Cary Odhiambo speaking after the match was a relieved but acknowledged the students had given them a run for their money,
“They were a very good competition making us work hard for our victory. They held on very wel in the 1st and 2nd quarters but in the 3rd quarter we managed to step up the defence and we were able to win.’’
Co – op bank will be meeting KCB Lions on Friday evening and Odhiambo hopes for a good result, “We are going to prepare well and hope for the best.’’
Meanwhile Masinde Muliro tactician Abel Wafula commenting on the defeat was content with his side performance but was already sounding the drums for the next match against Co-op bank, to be played their home turf in Kakamega,
“We shall be at home when we meet next time and we shall be waiting for them. We had beaten them in the last encounter so they were under the pressure to perform this time round.’’ He also mentioned that it was in the 3rd quarter that they lost the match,
“they came into the 3rd quarter more physical and we had some defensive lapses and that enabled them to come back.
Alex Lugasi the Masinde Muliro point guard had an impressive outing managing to score an impressive eight, 3 point shots. Masinde Muliro went home with 3 points from the weekend having gotten 2 points from a walkover against Mennonites and a point from the loss against Co-op bank.
Other matches of the day saw KCB Lions beat Terror 72 – 46. Nairobi Aviation went down narrowly to Kenya Airports Authority 44 – 46. In the ladies matches Storms managed to beat Gladiators 41 – 42 while debutants Safe Spaces senior team were beaten by Western delight 45 – 67.
The students were charged up in the last game of the day and by the 1st quarter they led their more physical superior opponents 21 – 19. In the 2nd quarter the two teams were head to head but Masinde Muliro managed to take the quarter by a single point 22-23 points. The total points at the end of the quarter saw Co- op bank trail the Kakamega based students 41 – 44.
The home side Cop-Bank was more physical and aggressive in their approach in the third quarter with a comeback that earned them a 18-15 win. At the end of the 3rd quarter both teams were level on 59 points inviting a thrilling final quarter.
The final moments of the match were punctuated by tension with both ends keen to avoid mistakes that could punish them in the end. But Cooperative Bank pinned the pressure on the students with experience and capitalizing on their errors in defense to win the quarter 24- 18 and take home the match.
Co-op bank head coach Cary Odhiambo speaking after the match was a relieved but acknowledged the students had given them a run for their money,
“They were a very good competition making us work hard for our victory. They held on very wel in the 1st and 2nd quarters but in the 3rd quarter we managed to step up the defence and we were able to win.’’
Co – op bank will be meeting KCB Lions on Friday evening and Odhiambo hopes for a good result, “We are going to prepare well and hope for the best.’’
Meanwhile Masinde Muliro tactician Abel Wafula commenting on the defeat was content with his side performance but was already sounding the drums for the next match against Co-op bank, to be played their home turf in Kakamega,
“We shall be at home when we meet next time and we shall be waiting for them. We had beaten them in the last encounter so they were under the pressure to perform this time round.’’ He also mentioned that it was in the 3rd quarter that they lost the match,
“they came into the 3rd quarter more physical and we had some defensive lapses and that enabled them to come back.
Alex Lugasi the Masinde Muliro point guard had an impressive outing managing to score an impressive eight, 3 point shots. Masinde Muliro went home with 3 points from the weekend having gotten 2 points from a walkover against Mennonites and a point from the loss against Co-op bank.
Other matches of the day saw KCB Lions beat Terror 72 – 46. Nairobi Aviation went down narrowly to Kenya Airports Authority 44 – 46. In the ladies matches Storms managed to beat Gladiators 41 – 42 while debutants Safe Spaces senior team were beaten by Western delight 45 – 67.
# posted by afrbk : 12:41
