Basketball in Africa

The poor run by Ulinzi Blades in the Kenya Basketball Federation national classic league hit the lowest point over the weekend as the military ladies lost two home matches to university opposition.
It was the third straight home loss for Ulinzi who were beaten 62-42 by Kenya Ports Authority, KPA, last weekend. On Saturday, they lost 54-67 to Strathmore University after deadlocking 27-27 at halftime.
Brigid Nanzala scored 21 points for the soldiers who only won the second quarter 23-13. Strathmore’s top scorer was Melissa Akinyi with 21 points as the students won first, third and fourth quarters 14-4, 21-12 and 19-15 respectively.
A day later, the soldiers went down 39-71 to United States International University- Africa, USIU-A. Ulinzi trailed the students 19-34 at the breather with Rebecca Sarange scoring 10 points. Hilda Indasi top scored for USIU-A with 18 points as they won all quarters 16-9, 18-10, 15-9 and 22-11.
Co-operative Bank had mixed results winning one and losing one game. They beat Kenyatta University Oryx 56-35 on Saturday with Grace Wanjiku scoring 11 points. Betty Kananu scored highest for Oryx with 12 points.
The bankers lost their second match to rivals Eagle Wings 43-39 after trailing 23-20 at the breather. Evelyn Nora scored 11 points for Wings while Celina Akumu had 8 for the bankers.
Oryx restored some pride with a 42-36 win over Kenya College of Accountancy- University, KCA-U, in their second match.
Lions roar
In men premier, Lions was the biggest beneficiary taking home two wins and maximum four points. Their first win was against Blazers 64-45 on Saturday. Captain Victor Ochieng led from the front with 20 points and wins in all quarters 17-6, 16-14, 14-12 and 17-13 respectively.
Joseph Koech top scored for Blazers with 17 points. Ochieng was the destroyer again on Sunday as Lions upset Blades from Strathmore University 60-56.
This was their first comeback win of the season after trailing 25-29 at the breather. Blades started off well with 14-12 and 15-13 victories in the first two quarters.
Lions stepped up their game upon resumption to win the third and fourth quarters 16-9 and 19-18. Vincent Majimbo scored 12 points for Blades.
Griffin Ligare was in a class of his own, scoring a game high 33 points as Thunder narrowly lost 55-57 to Ulinzi Warriors. Ulinzi had their game plan right after leading 36-32 at halftime.
The soldiers won the first quarter 24-18 but Thunder snatched away the second 14-12. Thunder tied the game at 44-all with a 12-8 win in the third quarter before Ulinzi sealed the win with a 13-11 fourth quarter win. Byron Mabonga scored 11 points for Ulinzi and Bernard Mfutu added 10.
Strathmore University staged a comeback to beat Nairobi Aviation College 80-65 after trailing 31-35 at the breather.
Ben Oluoch top scored for Aviation with 21 points and Peter Shilton for Strathmore with 30 points. The other matches in men premier had USIU-A beating Terrorist 72-41 helped by 19 points from Abel Nson and Equity Bank beat Kenyatta University Pirates 61-47. Kenya Airports Authority was 54-48 victorious over Nakuru Club.
KBF Weekend Results: Saturday- KCA-U 52 MKU Eldonets 44, Parklands Baptist 40 Zetech College 56, ANU 61 Dankind Academy 82, Trailblazers 58 Lakeside 53, KCA-U 36 KU Oryx 42, Ulinzi Blades 54 Strathmore University 67, Eagle Wings 43 Co-op Bank 39, Lions 64 Blazers 45, USIU Tigers 72 Terror 41; Sunday- Barclays Bank 72 JKUAT 32, Little Prince 47 MKU Eldonets 38, KAA 54 Nakuru Cub 48, Blades 56 Lions 60, Equity Bank 61 KU Pirates 47, KCA-U 71 Lakeside 56, KU Oryx 35 Co-op Bank 56, Ulinzi Blades 39 USIU-Flames 71, Ulinzi Warriors 57 Thunder 55, Nairobi Aviation College 65 Strathmore University 80