KPA proves too strong for USIU-A Flames

Aminata Semassekou (Left) of KPA challenge Jemima Night of Equity Hawks during their Kenya Basketball Federation match at Nyayo Stadium. March 1, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Former Kenya Basketball Federation Women's Premier League champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) yesterday routed United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Flames 64-34 in a match played at Makande Hall, Mombasa.

With the victory, the dockers enhanced their chances of ending the regular season in the top two.

KPA were ruthless from the onset, ensuring that they denied their guests any scoring chances. This would see them dominate the game from start to the buzzer.

KPA won the first quarter 15-7 before totally outplaying Flames in the second period for a humbling 16-3 score to secure an unassailable 31-10 lead. The 2015 winners tried to recover in the second half, but KPA maintained the momentum to take the third and fourth quarters 20-17 and 13-7. The dockers will today renew their rivalry with reigning champions Equity Bank Hawks.

In the Men's Premier League title race, holders Nairobi City Thunder held their nerve to beat former champions Ulinzi Warriors 70-68 in a scintillating match played on Friday night at Nyayo Gymnasium.

Kenya Morans stars Derrick Ogechi and Albert Odero top-scored for Thunder with 18 points, while Garang Diing added 13.

Simon Rapudo led the soldiers with 16 points, with Collins Muliro and Elisha Odhiambo complementing his effort with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Thunder, who are back from Kigali, Rwanda, where they failed to secure a ticket to the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) play-offs that begin next week in Pretoria, South Africa, rested most of their players who featured in the BAL Nile Conference.

The Thunder had a good start, taking a 26-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second period was evenly contested, with both sides scoring 17 points apiece. They dominated the third quarter to win it 18-9 for a commanding 61-43 advantage going into the final quarter. However, they staged a lacklustre show, allowing Warriors to score 23 points against their nine, which almost cost them the victory.