Thunder break into Equity Bank vault

USIU's Simon Maina challenges Ken Maru (left) of Thunder at Strathmore University grounds on Sunday during Kenya Basketball Federation league, Saturday 23, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Ulinzi Warriors, Blades and Thunder are one match away from qualifying for this season's Kenya Basketball men's Premier League semi-finals. 

The four won their respective matches at the weekend to enhance their chances of making it to the last four.

Contesting in the best-of-three format, they now need victory in their second round matches to secure semis slots after taking a 1-0 lead each.

Thunder beat Equity Bank 70-59 to move a step closer to the semis. Kevin Chogo was superb for Thunder sinking 19 points against Equity Bank.

Griffin Ligare and Nathan Terry were also outstanding for Thunder scoring 14 and 13 points respectively.

Kevin Kigotho was Equity's top scorer with 11 points while Irungu Maina and Michael Munene scored 10 and nine points for the bankers. 

Thunder announced their intentions at the end of the first quarter with a six-point lead as the scores stood at 17-11.

Equity recovered in the second quarter dominating the game to level scores 33-33 at half-time. 

However, they failed to maintain the momentum as Thunder took charge after resumption for the third quarter.

Thunder took the final quarter 20-13.