Basketball: Mixed results in KBF as JKUAT sail to play-off semis

KENYA BASKETBALL LEAGUE Zetech University's Rebecca Nkatha (left) and Susan Omollo of Equity during Kenya Basketball League at Strathmore University, Sept 24, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Tough outing for Zetech in basketball league

Zetech teams had mixed results in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) leagues staged in Nairobi over the weekend.

Zetech scrapped a 46-40 win against Strathmore University after taking a 30-21 halftime lead in the KBF women’s Premier League contest staged at Upperhill School ground.

Lucy Mbithe scored a game-high 20 points for Zetech who won the match quarters 18-11, 12-10, 9-12 and 9-7. Edna Kola and Susan Manya gave the losers 12 and 11 points in the duel.

Despite the good run by the women, Zetech men failed to reap maximum points after going down in their matches.

Zetech were edged 73-69 by Equity Bank in a match that Faheem Juma and Bobby Onyango gave the students 30 and 11 points while the bankers were buoyed by Felix Omondi and Alex Lugasi.

Semifinal play-off

Zetech also lost 69-61 to African Nazarene University (ANU) in a see-saw battle. Emmanuel Onek and Eddy Bahati scored 13 points for ANU. Kelvin Kilel and Kevin Otieno gave Zetech 25 and 11 points.

At the same time, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture (JKUAT) and Technology edged Raila Educational Centre 32-30 in Game Three to sail to the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) women’s semifinal play-off at Railway Club in Nairobi over the weekend.

JKUAT led 15-13 at halftime. Angela Gicharu scored 12 points as Maureen Njuhi added six for the winners. Christine Aganwa and Irene Adhiambo had 12 a piece for the losers.

“JKUAT managed to sail to the semis with a 2-1 aggregate in the best of three series playoff,” stated NBA chairman, Ronny Owino.

Mustangs beat Parklands Baptist 70-65 in the decisive match to book a place in the NBA men’s playoff semis where they are poised to take Slum Dunk Academy in a best of five series contest.

Fierce battle

Mustangs had taken a 34-27 lead at the break with contribution from Phillip Tobias who scored a game-high 26 points. Leek Deng added 14.

Contribution for the losers came through Frank Wanaswa, who had 13 points including three treys. His teammate added nine. Just like JKUAT, Mustangs too advanced to the semis playoffs with a 2-1 aggregate.

A fierce battle pitting Technical University of Kenya (TUK) against Woodley Knight was forced to go overtime after the rivals tied 53-53 in regulation.

Woodley Knights managed to post a 65-64 win in overtime with only four charges after a similar number committed fouls and were sent to the sin bin by the umpires.