Blades, Zetech win as NBK slide in relegation

Zetech Sparks' Deborah Obunga (left) and Billha Akinyi of ANU Panthers in a past match. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Strathmore University Blades intensified their hunt for a play-offs slot with a 70-55 win against National Bank of Kenya (NBK) Phoenix in a Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Men’s Premier League match played at Nyayo Gymnasium.

Blades victory condemned the Phoenixes to the bottom of the table, pushing them closer to relegation. NBK Phoenix, who made their Premier League debut this season, risk returning to the lower tier.

Despite having a good start that saw them register impressive results, including a victory against former champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), they fizzled out and are now headed back to Division One.

The Blades have been fighting tooth and nail and are now safely out of the relegation zone and are looking to be among top eight teams that will remain in the race for the title. A good start that saw them take a 39-23 half-time lead won the match for them as the bankers struggled to recover.

Strathmore won the first and second quarters 15-12 and 24-11 to secure a commanding 16-point lead at the breather. They were done and dusted going into the final quarter after winning the third period 15-7. NBK were stronger in the fourth quarter, winning 25-16, but it was a little too late to salvage the game.  

Zetech University Sparks extended their good run with a 53-37 win against Stanbic Aces. The victory saw them reduce the point deficit between them and league leaders and former champions KPA to one. The dockers top the table with 37 points from 19 matches, while the students have 36 from an equal number of games.