Equity Bank pipped Kenya Ports Authority 70-69 in a tough Kenya National Basketball League playoff finals Game Two match at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium, Saturday.
The best-of-five-game series now tied 1-1 will continue next weekend for Games Three and Four and if possible Five. KPA stopped Equity Bank Dumas 62-53 in Game One Friday.
“In Game One we were still learning to play finals basketball, the physicality, focus, pressure. Our boys really didn’t get into it,” said bankers’ coach Carey Oketch.
Victor Bosire and James Mwangi registered 16 points, Titus Musembi bagged 12 and Faheem Juma shot 11. KPA had 15 from Job Byron.
“In Game Two we were ready for it. We made great adjustments and hopefully, it worked for us.”
Both teams were locked 18-18 in an evenly contested first quarter of Game One before the porters took charges with a 15-14 cushion in the second.
KPA piled pressure in the third taking another 13-9 edge before finishing the job with a 16-12 difference in the deciding quarter.
Byron led the KPA charge with 21 points, Eugene Adera added 11. Bosire drained 16 for the bankers.
In the ladies, KPA were too strong for Zetech University Sparks erupting in the second half to thrash them 68-38 after a 30-24 halftime lead.
In the men’s Division Two match, Strathmore University Blades dimmed United States International University Tigers 63-58 to tie the series 1-1.
The Swords had lost Game One 64-62 on Friday evening after leading 33-24. USIU had 21 points from Kuol Deng and another 20.
“We had a commanding 20 points lead but eight turnovers and three successful three-pointers made them come back,” said Strathmore coach Tony Ochieng.
“The boys played disastrously with ball handlers not doing well. We needed to convert our points to win it.”
In the women’s Division One match, Zetech University Development are 1-0 up after beating USIU Flames 66-65 in a closely fought encounter for 1-0 series lead.
“My girls gave this match their all. Unfortunately it just fell short. We will give it another go in Game Two and see how it goes,” said Flames’ coach George Mayienga.
