Basketball: Tongoi ready to help Lady Bucks survive relegation

Lady Bucks Joan Mito warms up before a KBF Women's Premier League match at Manyatta Arabs in Kisumu. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Relegation-threatened Kisumu Lady Bucks are confident of turning around their poor season in the KBF Women’s Premier League after registering their first win of the campaign over the weekend.

Bottom placed Lady Bucks defeated Eagle Wings 49-43 at Manyatta Arabs in Kisumu on Saturday to end their eight matches winless run in the league.

Nicole Teddy scored a game-high 17 points and nine rebounds to lead them to victory as Angie Akinyi added eight points, an improved performance that captain Stephanie Tongoi believes will motivate the team going forward.

Speaking to the Standard Sports, Tongoi said their season begun on Saturday and they are looking forward to a thrilling end to their season with nine games in hand.

“We are just getting started. This is a fresh start to us after the hard earned win that will definitely uplift our morale.”

“We still believe we can get out of the bottom with the nine games in hand and remain in the league,” said Tongoi.

Lady Bucks head coach Dave Michaels said he was happy with the win and they are ready to start rebuilding.

“We are very happy for the first win of the tough season. Our defense and offense was perfect today and the player played their hearts out after eight consecutive loses both at home and on the road.”

“The problem has been lack of training and preparations due to our financial problems but this time round I am glad we really trained and that improved the team chemistry and led to the win,” said Michaels.

In Nairobi, Equity Bank kept the pressure on leaders Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women after they humiliated University of Nairobi Dynamites 82-47.

The bankers have lost only one match and occupy the second position with 33 points from 16 wins as their rivals KPA sit top with 35 points.