Basketball: Zetech Sparks see off ANU Panthers to close gap on top spot

Zetech Sparks' Ashley Minayo (centre) and Mary Lisa block Bilha Atieno (left) of ANU during KBF Premier League at Nyayo National Stadium, Gymnasium on Saturday, October 15, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Zetech University Sparks on Saturday closed the gap between them and joint-leaders Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Storms to within one-point after seeing off African Nazarene University (ANU) Panthers 60-53 in a KBF Premier League match at Nyayo.

The win saw Zetech remain third but close the gap between them and the leaders

The university side has 17 points, a point behind KPA and Storms who are tied on 18 points.

Forward Christine Akinyi, shooting guard Ashley Minayo and center Beryl Aoko scored a combined 36 points as the Sparks cruised to easy victory as they built comfortable on last weekend’s huge 83-25 victory over Kenyatta University Oryx.

Zetech have now won eight matches and lost one game in their nine games played so far.

The Sparks led 20-13 in the first quarter before squeezing a slim 16-13 advantage in the second quarter to establish a 36-26 lead at the breather.

In the final half, Panthers fought back by claiming the third quarter 15-09 before Sparks turned the tide in the last quarter winning 15-12 to take the game to 60-53 at the final buzzer.

On Sunday, defending champions KPA women return from their second place finish at the FIBA Zone V Championship in Tanzania to tackle Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Lynx.

The Dockers will hope to maintain their perfect start to the season where they have won all their nine opening matches by defeating the visitors at Makande Gymnasium.

KPA are currently joint top on the log with Storms who have played two matches more.

Other matches will feature KU Oryx face Eagle Wings as fourth placed University of Nairobi Dynamites play Strathmore Swords.

KBF Premier League Fixtures

Saturday Results

Zetech Sparks 60-53 ANU Panthers

Sunday Fixtures

Eagle Wings v KU Oryx-10.30am (Nyayo Gymnasium)

UON Dynamites v Strathmore Swords-12pm (Nyayo Gymnasium)

KPA v JKUAT Lynx-2pm (Makande, Mombasa)