• Players and referees cannot see properly under such circumstances
• Champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) were humbled 88-76 by Thunder
Image: /ENOS TECHE
Strathmore University Blades coach Tony Ochieng has asked Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) to schedule only four (and not five) games per day at the Nyayo Stadium gymansium to ensure matches end before 7pm.
Ochieng made the plea after inadequate lighting became the main talking during a Premier League tie between Blades and Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University.
Despite, Blades pulled all their resources to shut out KCA 66-52, breaking off late in the game to bag maximum points with most of the second half being played in near darkness.
“Players and referees cannot see properly under such circumstances and as a result, poor decisions are made by all,” said Ochieng. “Many players are committing turn overs and refs are making bad calls. You cannot blame those on the ground because of poor visibility. It’s tough out there.”
Peter Ochieng tallied 18 points and Amos Aduke added 14 for Strathmore, who have so far won one of their two matches. KCA had 16 from Brian Ondari.
KCA coach Charles Goro blamed lack of intensity from his players. “They are playing without desire. We recovered superbly from two points down but they could not sustain the pressure,” said Goro.
United States International University (USIU) recovered to beat Umoja 65-62 in a tight duel.Fredrick Onono, Lawrence Davey and Mathew Kibet pepped the Tigers with 13 points each while Gilbert Obiero and Nick Ogol had 16 and 15 respectively for the losers. Emyba, who lost 78-71 in Mombasa last week, crushed World Hope 61-49 as Zaddock Osogo tallied 15 points and Evans Oreneg replied with 15.
In the women’s tie, Storms thrashed Africa Nazarene University (ANU) 64-49. Angela Luchivya, Steffi Ngabire and Pam Cinda each scored 13 points as Sylvia Omolo added 12. Lynn Salimmo had the losers 22.
At the Makande Welfare Hall in Mombasa, reigning champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) were humbled 88-76 by Thunder. Griffin Ligare dropped 32 points and Kevin Chogo added 22. Paul Ekiru had 10 for the porters.
In the lower division, Neosasa Morans nipped Riara University 58-57, Mount Kenya University (MKU) Thika hammered Egerton University 52-36 as Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) hit Nebulus 52-37. Other matches saw KDF Morans lose 52-45 to Nakuru Club, Zetech Titans went down 40-37 to Lions while Strathmore thumped Trailblazers 64-21.