Basketball in Africa

United States International University- Africa, USIU-A, ladies team and University of Nairobi’s Terrorist were on Saturday crowned the new Zuku University Basketball League champions after emerging tops in the national playoffs.
USIU Flames easily beat Maseno University main campus 82-38 to retain the title they won last year while Terrorist had to sweat out in their slim 72-68 win over Mount Kenya University, MKU, Nakuru.
It was a sweet ending for the campaign by Terror who finished second last year behind USIU-A and third in the Nairobi Conference playoffs early this month.
They were the better side fielding some of the accomplished names in the national classic league.
Brian Obimbo and George Omenda from Equity Bank, Moses Wanjara from Lions and Geoffrey Oteki from Strathmore University all donned Terror colours giving them an edge over their opponents.
Head coach Emmanuel Ochieng was relieved that his charges hit the target after narrowly missing the title last season.
“It is all about hard work and and self belief in my players that we are champions. Our defense has been very strong all along even though the offensive let us down on several occasions but its all about the game.”
Oteki named the most valuable player
Terror began off strongly opening up a 12- point lead that sent a signal it might be a one-sided affair.
However, MKU cut down the deficit to five points by the end of the first quarter with Terror winning 18-13. Terror led 29-24 at the breather with a 13-12 win in the second quarter.
Both teams were let down by poor free throws which could have made a huge difference.
Out of 24 attempts, Terror made only eleven while MKU scored 19 free shots from 32 attempts. MKU had 24 turnovers against Terror’s 19.
The second half was tight as both teams teased each other with good displays.
Terror managed to carry home the third quarter 28-15 with MKU winning the consolation fourth 27-16.
MKUs Nicholas Anyang was the day’s hero pulling fans off their seats with good moves that saw him make eight blocks for his side.
He scored 15 points, missed one free shot from eight attempts, grabbed 14 rebounds and two steals. Richard Mungai and James Okerio top scored for MKU with 18 points each.
Oteki and Enock Ogecha had 14 points apiece for Terror. USIU-A, last year’s winner, finished third overall after beating Technical University of Kenya, TUK, 67-50 in their third place playoff.
Oteki was named the overall top points scorer with 45 while teammate Ogecha had 42. Anyang was the top player with 44 rebounds with USIUs Kevin Kigotho coming second with 33.
Oteki added another accolade to his name after being named the most valuable player in the men’s category.
Maseno failed to offer USIU Flames the much needed opposition leaving them to retain their title in an easy way.
From the onset, it was evident that the lakeside team was not up to the challenge as they conceded many turnovers denying them possession.
USIU was very sharp at rebounds from which most of their points came off. Zipporah Adhiambo scored 21 points for USIU with Cynthia Irankunda adding 14.
Belinda Okoth was Maseno’s highest scorer with 12 points. UoN Dynamites finished third. Irankunda was voted the most valuable player and won the highest rebounds award with 24.
Teammate Hilda Indasi walked home with the top points scorer managing 52 while Maseno’s Belinda Okoth came second with 45.