It is now three out three for United States International University (USIU) women’s basketball team in the ongoing Fiba Africa Zone V Clubs Basketball Championships in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Keen on maintaining their unbeaten run, the Kenyan representatives defeated Rwandan champions Ubumwe 81-74.
The yesterday morning match at the National Stadium Indoor Arena had all the ingredients of a real battle; tough, fast-paced and full of bruises. It was a do-or-die encounter for Kenya and Rwanda.
The Rwandan side began the game with enviable zeal, giving Kenya’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Sara Chan little room for easy layups.
The highly-inspired opponents then sunk a screaming three-pointer courtesy of the towering Nezerma Ines, whose number 13 jersey has been conspicuous at the venue.
As the Kenyan point-guard picked the ball for restart, section of the crowd chanted “Defence! Defence. They knew the only way they could contain the Kenyans was through a tight defence.
But that was in the stands. On the basketball court, things were different. Chan grabbed a loose ball from Ubumwe key player and beauty Kantore Sandra.
Chan did not score, however. She was elbowed and somewhat lost her composure. It must have hurt, for sure. Her consequent play did not match her pedigree. And it was Ubumwe who won that cutthroat first quarter 20-17.
Unsettled, USIU head coach George Mayienga, engaged a tactical approach to the game. He called for several time-outs, if only to disrupt the rhythm of their opponents.
His tactics worked, somewhat, as captain Angela Okoth got room to gel with Cynthia Irankunda and Georgia ‘Ching’ Adhiambo in the second quarter.
When the trio found their tempo, it was smooth sailing for the students. They won the second quarter 20-18.
All the while, a small Rwandan community seated on the stands opposite the buzzer, continued to sing to whoever cared to listen.
