Ulinzi run riot as Thunder strike Kenyatta University Pirates in KBF league matches

Zetech University's Zedekiah Onganga (left) tackles Keith Mbeera of USIU during the Kenya Basketball Federation league match at St Paul's University, Limuru, on Saturday. [PHOTO:JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Ulinzi once again stamped their authority in the Kenya Basketball Federation league at the weekend, shooting down Blades 57-36 at Upper Hill High School basketball court on Sunday.

Joseph Owino bagged the winners’ 13 points as Hope Rogers notched 10 points for the losers. After a fiercely contested but balanced first quarter, it was Ulinzi who won 20-18.

Blades lost steam in the second quarter, to give the soldiers a chance to pull the trigger which resulted in a 10-4 win before winning the third and final quarters 16-6 and 11-8 respectively.

In another encounter, Mandela Otieno-led Thunder to hit Kenyatta University Pirates 79-63 after taking a 39-22 half time lead. Otieno top scored in the game with 33 points as Griffin Ligare added 24. Jacktone Agunda had 15 for the students.

In the women’s encounter, Ulinzi shot down Eagle Wings 65-44. Brigid Nanzala and Rebecca Sarange had 25 and 19 for the winners while the losers took pride in Annrose Atieno and Everlyn Nora who sunk 26 and 12 respectively.

 

EAGLE WINGS RESTRATEGISED

In their clash with Strathmore, Ulinzi won 55-43. During the game, Nanzala contributed 20 points. Eagle Wings, however restrategised in their second encounter of the weekend to beat Kenyatta University Oryx 69-36

Hilda Indasi netted 12 points to steer United States International University (USIU) to a 44-37 victory over Co-op Bank who later redeemed themselves by winning 56-33 against Safe Spaces. The bankers had 13 points from Grace Wanjiku. Upper Hill School picked a 20-0 walkover against Trailblazers.

In Kakamega, Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCA-U) were too good for their hosts Mount Kenya University Kakamega whom they beat 49-47 before hitting Western Delight 44-27 to gain four vital points at the weekend.

 

WON TWO MATCHES

In Kisumu, hosts Lakeside were too good for visiting Little Prince whom they beat 59-35 after taking a commanding 36-11 lead at half time.

Lakeside left nothing to chance, winning their two other fixtures against KCA-U and Africa Nazarene University. Lakeside hit KCA-U 59-42 and ANU 77-71.

In Mombasa, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women won 51-34 against visiting Storms. KPA men also thrashed Blazers 94-32 before edging Lions 49-48.

In other weekend results, Co-op Bank defeated Kenya Airports Authority 55-36, Strathmore won 59-44 against Kenyatta University Pirates as Dankind hit Upper Hill School 61-31.

Meanwhile, former champions Makupa Lakers, Buxton Hawks, Congo Nets and Changamwe Rollers qualified for the semi-finals of the Mombasa Region basketball league at the weekend.

During the play-offs at the Kenya Ports Authority Welfare Centre, Makande, Makupa Lakers beat Coastal Kings twice 54-47 and 55-50 on their way to the semis. Congo Nets hit Tumaini Takers 53-41 and 67-43.

In other matches, Changamwe Rollers beat Mtopanga Finest 51-44 and 72-62 while Buxton Hawks clawed 2012 champions Kiembeni Heats 60-55 and 61-54 in the first and second match respectively.