Basketball: Lady Bucks lose opening match as Lakeside fail to honor match

Zetech Sparks to maintained their perfect start to the 2022 Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Women’s Premier League season after thrashing Lady Bucks 66-34 in yesterday’s match played at Manyatta Arabs in Kisumu.

At the same, the men’s Premier League match pitting Zetech Titans and Lakeside did not take place after the hosts failed to show up for the game.

This is after Lakeside said on Friday that they will not play until their case which involved the nullification of their 2-1 quarterfinals playoffs defeat to Ulinzi Warriors last season is solved.

Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) voided the 2021-2022 playoffs match pitting Lakeside and Ulinzi Stars. 

At Manyatta Arabs, the university students started off slowly but lead 8-4 in a low score first quarter before erupting to an impressive 18-point first half lead.

Zetech outscored the hosts 17-3 in the second quarter to take a comfortable 25-7 lead at the break.

The visitors killed the match in the third quarter after another big performance of 24-7 putting the game out of reach for Lady Bucks who were struggling with easy layups, jump shots and free throws.

With one quarter left, Lady Bucks were trailing 49-14.

A last ditch line-up changes in the final quarter brought life to the hosts after an inspirational performance from Christine Akinyi, Elsa Ndong and Juliet Omollo saw Lady Bucks outscore Zetech 20-17.

Despite a strong finish, Lady Bucks lost their opening game of the season 66-34 to Zetech who made it two wins in a row.

Last weekend, Zetech Sparks saw of Strathmore University 54-32.

Speaking after the win, Zetech head coach Maurice Obi said he was impressed with her girls show but disappointed with poor fourth quarter display.

“We played well today especially in the third and second quarters where we were dominating in the paint and from the three-point line.”

“The last quarter the players became overconfident and lousy because they knew they were winning the game. That cannot happen again because you never know in a game of basketball anything is possible. I know they will do better anyways in a high octane game,” said Obi.