Ulinzi Stars rule East Africa Military Games at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Kenya had a successive weekend winning its maiden gold medal in basketball at the just concluded East Africa Military Games at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Kenya Defence Force (KDF), who played archrivals Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces in the final match, staged a superb show to lift the title with maximum eight points.

Kenya win ratio was 4-0, they stun Uganda 68-57, beat Burundi 70-69, with Rwanda being dismissed 73-72 before wrapping it up with a 71-51 scoreline against Tanzania.

KDF head coach William Balozi told FeverPitch his eyes are focussed on the continental championships to be staged in South Africa later in the year.

“We are still cherishing the win, which has made us proud and rejuvenated for the league,” said Balozi.

Top scorers for KDF werfe William Ochieng, Mike Tanui, Baron Mabunga, Bernard Mfutu, Victor Odendo — the MVP — and Deter Okoth.

Terror reigns

Back to the league, University of Nairobi Terror, led by their captain Hilary Kubai fought hard to win 67-63 against Mennonites in the Kenya Basketball Federation men’s Premier League.

Kubai said dedication to training sessions has propelled them to their new height.

“We have been working on our techniques day and night, the win could not have come easy without dedication of our members,” Kubai told Fever Pitch.

Nairobi Aviation took their game a gear up, beyond Blazers reach to win 67-41 after leading 27-23.

Strathmore University posted mixed results at the weekend in both men and women Premier Leagues. Their men’s team failed to crack Kawangware-based World Hope who edged them out  65-61.

Strathmore excel

However,  the women side fought hard to ward off visiting National Youth Talent Academy  Shimba Hills from Mombasa 61-63 after successfully leading 34-6 at the breather. Strathmore won the four quarters 6-5, 22-1, 12-4 and 13-3.

Storms did not struggle to win their women encounter against Safe Spaces who failed to turn up for the match. Officials granted Stomers a walkover with  two points and 20 baskets.

It was also the same case for Kenya College of Accountancy University who picked a walkover against Parklands. Don Bosco beat Friends of Basketball of Kenya 47-37.

Meanwhile, in Nairobi Basketball Association  leagues Baraka Extreme beat Our Lady Queen of Peace 63-41 with Howard Juma contributing  11 points in the third quarter. Johnny Murumba had 13 points for Our Lady Quuen of Peace.

Mount Kenya University Thika (MKU) dismissed Lycans 56-26 with Derick Juma making 14 points for Mount Kenya while Joseph Njoroge shot 10 for Lycans.

Africa Nazarene University hit Multi Media University 41-39 in a match that saw Cossiga Bayless score 15 as Henry Diego replied with 14. Old Pirates game against MKU Nairobi was called off.

The league continues this weekend.