KEN - Visiting Kisumu Lakeside post big win over ICC despite hardships

NAIROBI (Premier League) - The visiting Kisumu Lakeside crushed International Christian Center (ICC) 79-62 in a Premier League tie played at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium over the weekend.

The visitors got off to a bright start after an opening basket from Joseph Onyango and they never looked back as they raced to a 21-12 lead in the first quarter. ICC charged back and an Emmanuel Ekai basket saw them take a brief lead at 22-21. But they collapsed again as Kisumu went to the break with a 32-27 margin.

Absalom Ojiem, Joshua Charles and Dickson Masudi efforts saw Kisumu took charge of the proceedings as the crowd roared. A three pointer by Masudi had the scores 60-40 as ICC were dead and burried under an avalanche of baskets as the game swung from one end to the other.

Ojiem led the scoring chart with 21 points before fouling out in the last minute while Charles and Chrispin Biko each nailed 12 for Kisumu. The struggling ICC had 16 from Ekai, 15 from Adams Njoroge and 11 from Vito Kote.

Lakeside coach Dave Michael told FIBA after the final whistle that he has a crop of young and talented boys but his main worry is that the team might not survive for long if a sponsor does not come on board to chip in.

"Its only through dedication that we managed to travel to Nirobi to honour the two matches. We are appealing for well wishers here in the country and abroad to come to our aid if we are to survive in futuire. Otherwise it will not be easy for us to sustain this team." he said

Tobias Onyango connnected for 13 points while Dennis "Dikembe" Opiyo dropped in 12 as national champions KCB Lions maintained their strong start to the league with a 72-57 win over Kenyatta University "Pirates", who were playing only their first game of the season.

Lions took a 21-12 first quarter lead and maintain the tempo in the second with a 21-18 edge. The third was easy 16-8 while KU took the last quarter 19-14. Phil Dinga managed 17 points and Martin Obure shot 15 whle Griffin Ligare supported from the back court.

In the ladies only tie, Sprite Storms hit Strathmore University hard winning 64-40 as they turned on the heat straight from tip off. Storms led 33-16 at the break and had no mercy for Swords, whose coach Sylvia Njeri is their former player and who also learnt her coaching skills from Ben Oluoch, Storms tactician.

Emma Nyakweba led with 17 points, Irene Makori hit 13 for Storms. Swords, who lost 6 their last game against Kenya Ports in Mombasa last week had 10 from the lanky faith Owich and nine from Lucy Apondi.

In their other tie, Kisumu slipped 52-64 against former champions Co-operative Bank of Kenya. The bankers came to this tie focused after last week's 69-72 loss to national champions KCB Lions league and took a 35-22 lead at half time.

After resumption, the bankers hanged on 29-30 as the visitors put on more pressure but to no avail.Cliff Ochieng tossed in 17 points while Horace Nyadera hit 12 for Co-op who have now won two and lost one match to bag five points. Lakeside Crispin Abuto led the scoring chart with 20 points. They now have four points from two losses and one win.

Griffin Ligare connected for game high 30 points and Phil Dinga added 15 as Kenyatta Univesity Pirates shocked University of Nairobi "Terrorists" 58-55 in a lively exchange. UoN took a 30-29 lead at the break as Brina Busu scored 20 points while Rodney Genga registered 10.

Dann OWERE
FIBA