Former national champions Ulinzi Warriors hit Platinum Eldonets 66-53 in a Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL) match at Nyayo Stadium gymnasium on Saturday.
The soldiers led 34-21 at the breather but could not stem the Eldonets tide as the visitors took a 44-42 edge at the end of the third quarter.
"We had lapses especially in the third quarter and our rotation was not good. But we cut on their shots in the last.We are not at our best but we are improving," said Ulinzi coach Bernard Mutoro.
Captain Eric Mutoro drained 24 points and Elisha Odhiambo added 15 for the winners.
"It's been raining daily in Eldoret and as a result we have not trained well but we will get better," opined guard Renny Moibi.
In a women's Premier League tie, Zetech University Sparks sparkled into life in the second half after a 21-21 tie at the break to beat Strathmore University 54-32.
The students were led by Christine Akinyi and Mary Lisa who picked up 10 points each in that win.
"We started sluggishly but changed the defence by coming out aggressively after the break. But we will need to work on outside presence going forward, " said Sparks' coach Maurice Obilo.
Bilha Akinyi and Lynn Saliamo impressed as Africa Nazarene University ANU hit Eldonets 61-52. Stacey Ongwae shot the losers 20.
"We won but we had a lot of lapses as my players took a lot of things for granted. We must change the way we look at opponents because against stronger teams, we will be punished," said ANU tactician Mike Oluoch.
