KEN - Champions Lions roar to emphatic win in Mombasa

NAIROBI (Premier league) - Reigning champions Kenya Commercila Bank Lions whitewashed homeside Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 73-58 in a top match of the week played at Makande Welfare Hall in Mombasa.

Lions roared to a 20-10 first quarter cushion. But KPA, urged on by their fans took the second 22-12 before both giants were deadlocked 16-16 in the pivotal third. But if KPA had any hopes of breaking Lions 16 game unbeaten run in this match, it was dashed in the last with a strong 25-10 KCB show.

Victor Odendo scored 23 points, Tobias Onyango nailed 20 while Yoni Wanambiro and David Otiso each chipped in with 15 and 11 points respectively for the visitors. KPA, lying in third spot have 25 points from 13 games.

In Nairobi, United States International University (USIU) beat International Christian Center (ICC) 68-52 in a premier league clash at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

The students, habouring hopes of making the four team play offs, bolted off to a bright start taking the first quarter 22-7. But ICC managed to climb back with a 11-15 difference as both teams went to the break. After resumption a closelyt fought battle saw USIU take the third 18-17 and the last 16-14.

Aru Ramadhan led the Tigers charge with 22 points while Victor Bosire and Zadock Adika scored 10 a piece. They now have 21 points and are sixth. ICC had game high 22 points from Luka Lukongo while Patrick Odhiambo added 11.


University of Nairobi "Terrorists" beat Strathmore University 58-53 in a closely fought match to have their play offs hopes alive.

The loss, their 12 was a body blow for Blades who had hoped to make their first play offs this year. With only one match left to complete their fixtures, Strathmore will rapidly find themselves moving down the ladder to the relegation slots.

In a low scoring game, both teams were tied 13-13 in the first quarter before the campus lads took the second 14-7. Again the third quarter was tied 12-12 with the losers taking the fourth 21-19 but it proved too little too late.

Terrorists moved to fourth spot with 22 points, Strathmore are fifth and International Christian Center (ICC) sixth both with similar number of points. Mike Opinya led with 25 pounts while Ronney Genga made 11. For Strathmore, Ben Ogolla hit 14 and David Ogola shot 12.

United States International University (USIU) beat Sprite Storms 50-40 in the only top women's match of the day.

Former Storms national team guard, Hilda Indasi who helped the team surged to the top of local basketball scene was the one who wrecked their plans with game high 20 points. Storms had nine from Irene Makori.

The students leapfrogged over Strathmore Univeresity to the fourth spot with 17 points from 10 games, only one behind Storms who are still in the third place.

Yana's poor run contined when they lost 40-49 to USIU Flames in a closely fought women's duel. USIU took a 25-15 margin at the break and never lifted their foot off the pedal as both teams returned for the last half.

National team guard, Hilda Indasi connected for 19 points for the victors while Mitchelle Otinda, a former USIU player, led the way for Yana scoring the team's 14 points. They have 12 points with only one win from 11 matches to their credit

Dann OWERRE
FIBA