REIGNING national women champions United States International University (Usiu) stopped Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 66-62 in a play off finals’ Game Four tie at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
Like in Game Three won 73-64 by the porters the previous day, this time it was the “Flames” who raced off the blocks to a strong 11-0 cushion rattling KPA who never recovered. Usiu were up 24-11 at the end of the first quarter.
Playmaker Cynthia Irankunda was dictating the tempo from the back court with Sarah Chan and Angela Okoth providing the finishing touches.
KPA pushed the baton and had Usiu trailing 18-15 in the second stanza. It was not enough though to knock them off the top of the proceedings as they led 39-29 at the breather.
KPA, who came all out to wrap things up found Usiu a hard nut to crack and led by Yvonne “Atoti” Akinyi and Annerose Atieno their efforts only rallied the losers to a 19-13 edge in the third quarter. Still Usiu hang on to a 52-48 advantage as the last quarter started.
In a nip and tuck last ten minutes, KPA threw everything at the students in an effort to turn the tables but Usiu, aware that a loss would see them surrender their crown to their rivals hang on for a close 14-13 difference. The series is now deadlocked at 2-2 after KPA claimed Game One 55-52 before going down 63-56 in Game Two.
Chan who was not at her devastating best still led Usiu’s scoring chart with 18 points while Okoth managed 14. Atieno tallied 16 for KPA and Akinyi continued her exploits, sinking another 12.
