Eagle Wings cover USIU Flames to retain trophy

By Erick Ochieng’

Eagle Wings got their campaign to return to continental basketball on course as they successfully retained their league title against a spirited United States International University Africa (USIU).

After a rout in the Africa Club Championships this year, the Eagles aim to land at the continental arena with much funfare now that they are experienced.

Eagle Wings claimed a 2-0  match ratio victory againststudent side nicknamed USIU-A  Flames at the Nyayo National Stadium.

This gives them automatic ticket to play in the regional clubs championship in 2013. It is here that they will battle for another chance to represent the East and Central  Africa region at the prestigious Fiba Africa women’s  clubs championships.

The club will be looking for better performance both regionally and continentally following their lackluster performance that was displayed this year in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at the women continental clubs championships.

Narrowly won

 It is the third title the club is winning  the Kenyan Basketball Premier League title since  joining the league in 2007. Eagle Wings   narrowly won game one 58-55 against the USIU-A  last Wednesday.

USIU-A had vowed to avenge the defeat  but found the going tough on Saturday as the champions ground out another positive resultto win  game two 67-62 after 38-28 lead at the breather.

Eagle Wings won the two front quarters 22-17 and 16-11 before Flames stirred them in the back two quarters to win  16-12 and 18-17. But the wins were not enough to help push the contest to game three for the Flames as Eagle Wings gained advantage with a five point margin.

Eagle Wings coached by veteran basketball tactician Thomas ‘Smatts’ Olumbo capitalised on the antics and serves from Angela Okoth, Samba Mjomba and Silalei Shani who contributed 16, 14 and 12 points to the victory.

Mjomba big stage play was rewarded with a MVP status , which she first won  at last year’s playoffs finals.