30 June 2009

KENYA : Champs KCB Lions nip USIU as Strathmore give Co-op a big scare

Reigning national league champions KCB Lions beat United States International University (USIU) 53-49 to maintain their unbeaten run in the premier league in a tough match played at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

The bankers had a close 14-13 first quarter lead and topped 20-12 in the second. After the break, both teams had trouble hitting the target with KCB taking a 12-10 edge in the third before being out scored 14-7 in the last by the gritty students.
Tobias Onyango led Lions with 13 points while Victor Odendo made 12 who have now gone six games without a loss and have maximum 12 points. USIU, who have played four matches with only a win, had 10 frm Zadock Adika.

Former national champions Co-operative Bank of Kenya were taken to the wire by Strathmore University Blades who sadly went on to lose 70-69 in a tough encounter simply because they were unable to execute from the line
Co-op must thank Richard Osano who scored their 26 points with the nimble but lethal guard from Allan Ouma sinking another. Leading the unlucky students were the slamming Philip Amenyi who had 19 points and the ever lethal Ken Maru who hit 14.

Early pace setters International Christian Center (ICC) recored the highest score this year when they crushed University of Nairobi "Terrorists" 105-45 in a one sided demolition. The architect of the that whitewash were Phil Dinga and Griffin Ligare.

Dinga nailed 31 points while Ligare tossed in 23 for ICC who took all the fiour quarters with a 23-8,20-14,25-10 and 33-13 scoreline. The losers, who will rue the departure of some key players, had nothing to show defensively. Sammy Kiria recored 15 points.

This win saw ICC move back to the second spot nine points from five games followed by Co-operative Bank of Kenya

Yana put up their best show this year with a deserved 66-55 thumping of USIU Flames. The victors led 32-30 at the break before going overdrive after the break with a 34-25 tear. Ruth Wasike was hot for 26 points for Yana while Samba Mjomba nailed 11 for the losers.

The previous day they put up a pale show before succumbing 25-38 to the impressive Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University in another match. KCA moved to the second slot behind Sprite Storms with seven points.

Strathmore University Swords dismal show continued when they were felled 40-46 by Mennonites led superbly by Susan Anyango who bagged 20 points. Grace Wanjiku gave the losers 13 points. Before this meeting, both sides were yet to win any game.

Mennonites were unstoppable in their two game fixtures, they put up a sterling show to thrash Africa Nazarene University (ANU) 85-54. This effort followed
a 72-67 win over Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC). Parklands lose 43-58 to World Hope.

In the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) matches played at the Railways Club, Trailblazers jumped to the top of the standings with an easy 60-28 whipping of Nairobi Deaf Kings. Steve Okwako was the key with 26 points.

They also thrashed leaders Friends of Basketball (FOB) 61-41 as Dennis Oyaro potted 12 points. Achega led the losers with 18. Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) hit Satelite Mercenaries 67-43 behind 22 points from Kevin Otieno.

Satelite had 14 from Brian Nyongesa. Baraka Xtreme were stunned 50-45 by Balozi who had 15 from Savio Kanyanya, Calvin Apwoka led the Thika side with 12.

Old Pirates dismissed Upper Hill School 42-38 as Eugene Mwazakhale scored 10 points while the students, who are gaining enormously from the experience at this level, had 14 from the hard working Stephen Migose.

Kenya Polytechnic also had it easy posting a deserved 56-31 win over the slumping Emyba.Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) went past Old Pirates 66-53. Jeff Ssozi nailed 15 points while Ken Murema shot the losers 15.

Lawrence Wandera scored 15 to guide Kenya Polytechnic posted a 57-32 win over Don Bosco who had 11 points from Steve Sassi. Balozi beat Upper hill School 44-37 as Kanyanya hit 19 points while the students Migose shot 15.

In the only ladies tie, Predators had former international Wilkister Oduor sinking 18 points in an easy 52-18 win over Kenya Polytechnic. They also emerged victorious with a 64-32 whipping of World Hope.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa

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