Strathmore Swords slash Eagle Wings

Strathmore University’s Beryl Katete (right) battles Maureen Bosibori of Zetech University. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Strathmore University Swords yesterday held their nerves to beat former Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women's premier league champions Eagle Wings at Nyayo Gymnasium.

A half basket is what made the difference between the two sides as Swords squeezed a slim 36-35 win. Neema Achieng led Strathmore with 10 points, while Lucy Machuma scored eight for Eagle Wings in the tightly-contested tie. The match was balanced from the onset, with Strathmore taking a 10-7 lead before forcing a basket advantage at half time with the score at 23-21 in their favour.

Eagle Wings came back stronger in the third quarter, taking it 7-5 and levelling the score at 28-28. Achieng ensured her side snatched the victory as she scored all the eight points to deliver the win in the final quarter as Eagle Wings fell short after scoring seven.

In another women's premier league encounter, University of Nairobi (UoN) Dynamites beat their Africa Nazarene University (ANU) counterparts 63-42 to chalk up their third win of the season. Dynamites dominated the match as the two sides met for the first time since earning premier league promotions last year

UoN's Faith Atieno sunk 24 points, while her teammates Valery Kemunto and Sharon Gaceri added 16 and 14 respectively. Caroline Njeri top-scored for ANU with nine points. Atieno and Kemunto called the shots from the onset, leading their side to take the first quarter 15-11. 

Dynamites were too good for ANU in the second quarter, scoring 19 points against ANU's eight to take a comfortable 34-19 lead at half time. Njeri, who led ANU to double victory last weekend, helped her side contain Dynamites in the third quarter. However, her effort was not good enough as their opponents took the third and fourth quarters 16-13 and 13-10 to carry the day. 

In the men's Division One contest, Kenyatta University (KU) Pirates rallied from behind to beat ANU 69-63. Brian Ondiek starred for Pirates with 16 points, while Jared Ouma scored 15 for ANU. In the women's Division One, visiting Kisumu Lady Bucks were given a rude welcome to the city after Strathmore beat them 39-43.