Basketball in Africa

Kampala. Such has been the close nature of this season’s Airtel National Basketball League that everyone associated with the game has had to reach for the rule book in order to know the playoff quarterfinal matchups. Following Sunday’s final regular season games, Warriors completed as sixth seed following their easy 94-53 win over Charging Rhino, who were already out of the running.
Warriors will meet third-seeded KIU Titans as a result of having an inferior head-to-head record with Falcons, who also completed with a similar 12-10 record.
Six-time champions Falcons beat Warriors 73-64 in the first round with the latter winning the second round meeting 70-66 to finish fifth and set up a date with fourth seed Power.
The head-to-head rule also applies to the top and final two play-off slots with Oilers edging the UCU Canons for top spot. Friday’s 80-70 overtime victory completed a regular double over the Canons having also won the first round 64-56.
They will consequently play Ndejje, who occupy the eighth and final playoff position after splitting their two meetings with Our Saviour.

Sunday RESULTS (M)
Stanbic Warriors 94-53 Charging Rhino
W: Magic Stormers 65-46 KIU Rangers
Playoffs quarterfinal fixtures (M)
Friday: Power (4) vs. (5)Falcons
Sunday: City Oilers (1) vs. (8) Ndejje
UCU Canons (2) vs. (7) Our Saviour
KIU Titans (3) vs. (6) Warriors
Women
Friday: KIU (4) vs. (5) Stormers
Sunday: Leopards (1) vs. (8) Amazon
UCU Lady Canons (2) vs. (7) Gladiators
A1 Challenge (3) vs. (6) Lady Marines

Nakuru Club beat Strathmore University 54-37 on Sunday to inch closer to their first ever playoffs qualification after three seasons in the Kenya Basketball Federation’s men's Premier League.
It has been a dream season for Nakuru who have beaten key title contenders Ulinzi Warriors, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Nairobi City Thunder. They also upset former champions Lions.
Head coach Richard Kanda is happy that their initial game plan for the season is working out as the regular season nears completion. “We had a meeting before the season began and set a minimum target of reaching playoffs. It does not matter the position we finish in our conference as long as we are in the playoffs,” he told sportsnewsarena.com.
“Once there, we will take a game at a time and anything that happens will be a bonus. We wanted to prove a point this year after fighting relegation last season,” the coach added. Kanda says their new players have been one of the reason for the good performance.
Hillary Kubai was signed from the University of Nairobi and came alongside Vanon Okoth and Suleiman Gakure. “They brought in competition to the team. Last season, some of the players were complacent because they knew their places in the team were guaranteed whether they trained or not.”
Against Strathmore, they dominated from start to the end winning all quarters 7-4, 13-8, 16-9 and 18-16. Joe Okoth top scored with 15 points, Victor Orare added 14 and Michael Kariuki had 10.
Robert Hope shot at least 50 percent for Strathmore’s score in every quarter to top score with 20 points including 8 free shots. He scored 2/4 in first quarter, 6/8 in second quarter, 4/9 in third quarter and 8/16 in fourth quarter. Strathmore beat Mennonite 95-70 on Saturday.
After losing 53-76 to KPA on Saturday, Zetech University came out strongly on Sunday to beat former champions Co-operative Bank 54-39. They led all through and set pace with a 14-5 score in first quarter.
The bankers won second quarter 11-7 but Zetech enjoyed a 21-16 halftime lead. The students won remaining quarters 9-7 and 24-15.
Two wins for KPA
KPA beat Lions 74-44 in their second game while Umoja beat Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) 75-49 but lost 46-51 to Equity Bank.
KAA lost their second game of the weekend 64-71 to Ulinzi as Lions beat Nairobi Aviation College 75-47 helped by 18 points from Victor Ochieng all from 6 three-pointers.
Women's Premier League champions United States International University- Africa (USIU-A) struggled to beat Masaku Sparks 77-73 in a tight contest. It was largely a two-point and three-point game through the four quarters and both teams tied 12 times.
With a minute to play in fourth quarter, scores read 71-71 but USIU-A went clear after scoring 6 free shots through Melissa Akinyi who made four and one apiece from Cynthia Irankunda and Angela Okoth.
Masaku led 36-33 at halftime and had Betty Kananu top score with 20 points, Michelle Otinda added 17 and Felmas Adhiambo had 16. Sarah Chan scored highest for USIU-A with 23 points and Irankunda had 18.
Strathmore University lost their second straight game after going down 47-52 to Equity Bank. The students won first quarter 15-10 before the bankers dominated in the rest with scores of 13-12, 14-13 and 15-7.
Hilda Indasi scored highest for Equity with 16 points while Linda Mfuchi and Salma Akinyi scored 13 points each. Susan Manya was Strathmore's highest scorer with 18 points.
KPA beat Eagle Wings 76-40 but Eagles recovered to win second game 48-31 against Kenya College of Accountancy- University (KCA-U). Eunice Ouma scored 16 points for Eagles and Celestine Isabwa registered 18 for the students.
KCA-U lost their second game 29-76 against Sprite Storms. Susan Akinyi and Mercy Wanyama led the rout combining for 52 points to Storms’ account.
KBF Weekend Results: Eagle Wings 40 KPA 76, KCA-U 29 Storms 76, Umoja 46 Equity Bank 51, Strathmore University 95 Mennonite Men 70, Lions 75 Nairobi Aviation College 47, Zetech University 53 KPA 76, Ulinzi Warriors 71 KAA 64, Trailblazers 51 MKU Thika 58, JKUAT 59 4-Christ 58, KCA-U 31 Eagle Wings 48, Upper Hill 73 World Hope 52, Equity Bank 52 Strathmore Swords 47, Trailblazers 51 Barclays Bank 58, ANU 84 Parklands Baptist 45, Masaku Sparks 73 USIU-A 77, Umoja 75 KAA 49, Strathmore University 37 Nakuru Club 54, Lions 44 KPA 74, Zetech University 54 Co-op Bank 39.

After a stellar regular season in which they finished with a 19-3 win-loss record and as second seeds going into the playoffs starting this weekend, UCU Canons are once again dividing opinion.

A miserable record, however, hovers over them having lost all six of the last semifinals they have taken part in including surrendering a 2-0 series lead to eventual champions City Oilers last year.

“That chockers’ tag is what motivates us,” UCU player Innocent Oduor said after their 91-71 rout of six time champions Falcons a fortnight ago. Coach Nick Natuhereza believes the team’s cohesion could prove to be the difference this season. “There is unity just that you only see the team during games,” he explained on Friday.

“We want to make things right this year,” Natuhereza added.
For Desmond Owili, UCU’s form going into the playoffs means there is no team to be worried about. “This loss won’t really affect us because we have had a really good run,” Owili said after Friday’s 80-70 overtime loss to the Oilers, their only defeat of the second round. Doubts, however, remain about their temperament with Owili, who has previously been suspended for shoving a referee having issues with the games’ officiating.

“We could have won this game but the referees could not let the game flow,” he said after the Oilers’ game. A best of three quarterfinal playoff tie against fellow university side Ndejje awaits them.

Playing on sunday
UCU Canons vs. Ndejje University Angels

On Friday Qie played his first match after two and half months and performed very well when his side, Basha Ba Heso (BBH) humbled Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP) by 66-27 baskets.

Qie was part of the attack and defense and he looked very fit and was making very good decisions and played for most of the duration of the match.

BBH won all the four quarters of the A Division Basketball League, they beat LP 13-09 in the first quarter, 21-10 in the second quarter, it was even wise when BBH defeated LP 12-00 in the third quarter and the four quarter LP lost 20-80 but after the match BBH were not happy to have scored more than that.

Samuel Kalwanyi (right) of City Oil blocks Steven Mwesige of Our Saviour during the showdown on Friday. PHOTO by Ismail Kezaala  

By Elvis Senono

Kampala. With ninth placed Sharing Youth and 10th placed Charging Rhino unable to leapfrog any side from the top eight, the teams that will feature in the playoffs are already known.

Airtel National Basketball League

Friday results
Ndejje 72-64 KIU
Oilers 80-79 Our Saviour
Today’s games
Gladiators vs. Amazon Rhino
KIU Rangers vs. Nkumba Lady Marines
A1 Challenge vs Magic Stormers
Charging Rhino vs. Tiger Head Power
Ndejje Angels vs. City Oilers

KAMPALA. Even before they complete their second round of games, Kutchi Tigers are already a satisfied side in the National Men’s Division One 50-Over League.
“We are sure of topflight cricket next year,” Tigers skipper Alphesh Hirani confidently told Sunday Monitor. Tigers have amassed four wins from six outings with help from a quartet of By darren allan kyeyune
dkyeyune@ug.nationmedia.com
KAMPALA. Out of eight teams, only two stand a chance of winning the National Women’s 40-Over League title.
All that Kampala Institute of Cricket Clubs (KICC) and Tornado B need to do is win their remaining games and the holy grail will be theirs. Having defeated holders Wanderers by 105 runs last weekend, KICC inched closer and will be champions if they win their remaining three ties. “Our chances of lifting the title get brighter by the day,” KICC skipper Gertrude Chandiru said. Chandiru made an unbeaten half-ton of 60* runs off 99 deliveries and together with Consy Aweko (60 off 79) shared a 128-run stand that rescued a 28-4 slump to eventually set 177. Bowlers Naomi Kayondo (3/10) and Veronica Nakadama (2/9) also deterred coach Sam Walusimbi’s charges.
KICC are now second with 60 points from 11 matches while leaders Tornado B (62) have played one more.
KICC played their 12th match against Ndejje-Premier last evening. That means KICC could be at the summit on 66 points when they face Tornado B in a title-decider at Lugogo Oval on October 17. “There may be a bit of pressure but if we beat Tornado B, we will have one hand on the trophy,” added Chandiru. If KICC win all their remaining games against Jinja SS and KICC, they will finish on a maximum 78 points.
But Tornado B can too mathematically clinch the title by a point if they beat KICC and Pioneer to get a projected total of 74 points. If they lose to Tornado, KICC will finish on a maximum 72.
“The story would have been different if the fixture against Charity was not washed out in Budo,” said Tornado coach Jackson Ogwang. The washout on September 26 meant that Tornado shared the points with Charity.

dkyeyune@ug.nationmedia.com

Masaku Sparks’ six-game unbeaten run was halted by Strathmore University Swords on Sunday courtesy of a 40-33 win in their Eastern Conference encounter at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
Strathmore completed a double over Masaku adding on to their 48-47 win in first leg.
The students put up well coordinated offensive play to outscore Masaku and caught them severally on fast breaks to score easy points.
Masaku started with key players Pamela Sinda and Michele Otinda on the bench while Strathmore unleashed their key trio of Susan Manya, Rachel Opinya and Mollete Achieng.
Felmas Odhiambo shot Masaku top with a basket but Opinya and Achieng replied for Strathmore with a free shot and two baskets respectively. The game was tied at 6-6 before Masaku led 7-6 and Strathmore 8-7. The students dominated from that to win first quarter 16-7.
After 5:50 of action in second quarter, Masaku had matched up Strathmore as the combination of Sinda, Betty Kananu, Felmas and Otinda clicked.
Felmas scored 8-points from four free shots and two baskets while Sinda scored 3 as the scores tied 18-18.
Susan Manya managed the only basket for Strathmore in the period as they struggled to win possession.
With 1:05 to play in the quarter, Sinda made a free shot to break the tie at 19-18 but Vanessa Lubira gave Strathmore a 20-19 halftime lead with a basket.
Strathmore took only two minutes of third quarter to open a 9-point lead at 28-19 through two baskets from Manya and a basket each from Opinya and Achieng.
Second half substitute Bianca Nyambura made two crucial steals from Kananu to help Strathmore stretch their lead to 12 points at 32-20. Kananu who is Masaku’s leading scorer had a bad day in office finishing the game with 9 points and 10 turnovers.
She was guilty of losing possession easily in third and fourth quarters at a time Masaku was chasing a comeback.
Co-op beat KU's Oryx 
Strathmore won third quarter 13-7 with the fourth tied 7-7. Achieng top scored for Strathmore with 10 points, Manya scored 9 and Opinya had 8. Felmas was Masaku’s highest scorer with 13 points.
Co-operative Bank beat Kenyatta University Oryx 72-46 but with a fight. First quarter was a balanced affair ending with a 15-15 score. It started with 2-2 and 3-3 ties but Brenda Wangoi scored three free shots to give Oryx a 6-3 lead.
Celina Okumu tied scores again at 6-6 with a three-pointer for Co-op Bank. There were three successive ties at 8-8, 10-10 and 12-12 as no team sought to prove dominance that early.
Grace Wanjiku scored a basket to give the bankers a 14-12 lead but Faith Marindanp made a three-pointer for Oryx to lead 15-14. Mercy Etyang ensured a tie for the quarter with a free shot for Co-op Bank.
Early into second quarter, the scores tied at 17-17, 18-18 and 21-21 before Co-op Bank went on a 12-0 run to win the quarter 18-6 and led 33-21 at halftime.
The bankers won third and fourth quarters 17-12 and 22-13 respectively scoring 15 points from the free-throw line and nine from the arc.
Oryx scored 14 points from the free-throw line and 15 from the arc. Vivian Akinyi top scored for Co-op Bank with 18 points while Wangoi scored 11 for Oryx.
USIU suffer another loss 
Western Delight beat Kenya College of Accountancy- University (KCA-U) 69-25 with Kisumu Lady Bucks earning a 20-0 walkover win over Mennonite.
In men's premier league, it was a second straight loss for United States International University- Africa (USIU-A) after going down 70-74 to a resilient Lions.
The return of Victor Ochieng who missed Lions’ 47-63 loss to KU Pirates on Saturday boosted their morale as he top scored with 21 points.
Congolese Joel Ntambwe was the top scorer for the students again in the absence of Kevin Kigotho hitting three three-pointers to finish with a game-high 26 points.
Lions head coach Juma Ikapian maintained their target is playoffs after beating USIU-A and Thunder in their last three games.
“The win against Thunder was a booster because they are the current form team in the league. Against Pirates, we missed two key players (Ochieng and Paul Oloo) which contributed to the loss. As a team, we are going to fight for a place in the playoffs until the last minute. We are not giving up.”
Equity stop KPA
In first half, the game tied five times with Lions winning first quarter 18-17 and USIU-A the second 19-11. Third quarter was the game-changer for Lions with a 20-12 win before wrapping up the win with a 25-22 score in fourth quarter.
Lions scored 17 points from free shots and 15 from three-pointers while USIU-A scored seven points from free shots and 21 from three-pointers. Co-op Bank recorded second win of the weekend beating Nairobi Aviation College 97-45.
Joseph Khaemba made four three-pointers to top score for Co-op Bank with 30 points while Deng Mayen scored 13 for Aviation and Damas Odedo added 10.
After their game on Saturday against Strathmore Blades was called off due to poor visibility in the gymnasium, Thunder lost 45-61 to Nakuru Club on Sunday with Griffin Ligare scoring 26 points.
Equity Bank made it two wins beating Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) 54-47 while Umoja beat KU Pirates 40-33.
Sunday Results: Nairobi Aviation College 45 Co-op Bank 97, Lions 74 USIU-A 70, Masaku Sparks 33 Strathmore University 40, MKU Thika 54 Blazers 43, Co-op Bank 72 KU Oryx 46, Eldonets 56 ANU 48, Eldonets 61 World Hope 51, Kisumu Lady Bucks 65 KCA-U 42, Lakeside 62 ANU 61, Don Bosco 48 Upper Hill 59, EMYBA 46 Trailblazers 61, Parklands Baptist 33 JKUAT 44, KU Pirates 33 Umoja 40, Thunder 45 Nakuru Club 61, KAA 47 Equity Bank 54.

United States International University- Africa (USIU-A) men’s basketball team struggled without their high-scoring captain Kevin Kigotho losing 75-78 to Equity Bank on Saturdau at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
Kigotho’s missing contribution was visible during the men's Premier League game. In his absence, Joel Ntambwe was charged with the role of leading their offensive. He stayed on the court for long and was involved in most of their plays finishing with a game-high of 26 points.
The first quarter was balanced as both sides exchanged the lead. Equity led 2-0 before tying at 2-2. The students then opened a 6-2 lead before Equity clawed back to lead 9-8. USIU-A was on top again 10-9 before Equity led 13-12 to finish the quarter 17-12.
After 2:9 was played in second quarter, Equity opened an eleven points lead at 29-18 engineered by two three-pointers from Fred Lugasi. The students fought hard and reduced the scores to 33-31 with 1:20 remaining to halftime.
Ntambwe took the initiative to lead the comeback scoring eight crucial points from four free shots and two baskets. However, Equity restored their cushion going to the breather after a strong fightback with baskets from Luke Felix, Vincent Onsongo and Emmanuel Ochieng to lead 39-31.
They maintained the tempo winning third quarter 19-17 for a 10-points advantage at 58-48 going to the final quarter. USIU-A did not allow them an easy win fighting hard in fourth quarter.
USIU-A reduced the gap
After two minutes of the quarter, they had reduced the gap to just two points at 60-58. Ntambwe was again at the heart of the comeback with six points and Derrick Juma had three.
Equity held steady and led 63-60 at 5:08 when Alex Ramazani made a three-pointer for USIU-A to tie scores 63-63. Ochieng made a free shot and Dan Abuya a basket to restore Equity’s three points lead at 66-63.
When 0:30 was remaining to fulltime, Equity led 75-73 and USIU-A had the opportunity to tie after Ntambwe was fouled by Ochieng for two free shots. He missed both giving Equity the room to stretch their lead with two free shots from Richard Mutua and one from Luke.
Juma made a basket for the students. Luke top-scored for Equity with 15 points while Lugasi added 14 with 12 of the points coming off four three-pointers. Onsongo finished with 11 points.
Kenyatta University Pirates made a big stride in their quest to qualify for playoffs with a 63-47 win over Lions. Pirates endured a tough opening half to show dominance in second half. The first quarter was a close call as Lions narrowly won 11-10.
Lions led 1-0 from an early free shot but Pirates made a basket for 2-1. Lions then led 3-2 and dominated until Pirates was on top 8-7. Both teams then exchanged the lead with Lions leading 9-8, Pirates 10-9 before Lions had the last laugh at 11-10.
The second quarter was not different from the first as Lions won 7-5 after leading once at 16-14 all the way to 18-15 at halftime. Pirates also enjoyed the lead once at 12-11 and was tied 14-14.
In third quarter, Pirates took the lead at 20-18 and went on to win the quarter 25-12 as well as the fourth 23-17. Renson Moibi led scoring for Pirates with 14 points, Jacktone Agunda scored 11 while Ken Adodi had 10. Collins Odhiambo top scored for Lions with 18 points.
Co-operative Bank saw off Nakuru Club 63-52 with Japheth Areba scoring 11 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and one steal. Job Byron added 10 points with six rebounds, an assist and a steal.
Lewis Muya and Allan Ouma also scored 10 points each. Suleiman Gakure top scored for Nakuru with 10 points, Joe Okoth added 8 and Victor Orare had seven.
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) beat Mennonite 70-39
Bad start for Sprite Storms
In women's Premier League, Sprite Storms beat Ulinzi Blades 72-49. They had a bad start with poor communication and lack of concentration working to the advantage of the soldiers.
They were forced to make their first substitution very early with Eunice Wangari paving way for Ashley Kingbischof. Storms led at 2-0, Ulinzi led at 3-2 before tying 6-6. Storms surged ahead 8-6 but tied again 8-8.
Angela Luchivya broke the tie with a free shot for Storms while Kingbischof and Sylvia Omollo made a three-pointer each to give Storms a 15-8 win for the quarter. Storms dominated to the end winning second, third and fourth quarters 17-9, 21-14 and 19-18 respectively.
Mercy Wanyama top scored for Storms with 18 points while Esther Butali was Ulinzi’s top scorer with 19. Bridgit Nanzala scored her first 8 points from free shots to finish with 12 for Ulinzi.
Eunice Ouma made three three-pointers and three free shots to top score for Eagle Wings with 19 points as they beat KU Oryx 50-30. Beryl Akoth scored 10 points for Oryx.
Saturday Results: Eagle Wings 50 KU Oryx 30, KAA 70 Mennonite 39, 4-Christ 58 Parklands Baptist 36, Barclays Bank 49 JKUAT 55, Upper Hill 60 Trailblazers 67, Blazers 52 Little Prince 44, Equity Bank 78 USIU Tigers 75, Co-op Bank 63 Nakuru Club 52, Lions 47 KU Pirates 63, Sprite Storms 72 Ulinzi Blades 49.