•Kenya did well to take a closely fought third quarter by a 19-17 margin before erupting for a strong 17-6 in the fourth to win convincingly.
•Mutoro grabbed a game-high of 24 points that went with 3-three point shots.
Image: FILE
Kenya Morans will sharpen their offence and tighten the defence this week ahead of next month's Fiba AfroCan tournament in Luanda, Angola, assistant coach Collins Gaya has said.
The tactician, talking after the national side beat Kenya-based South Sudan team 65-42 at Nyayo Stadium gymnasium on Saturday, he realised there are areas they need to focus on in the coming days.
they will do more in the remaining days.
The 12-team tournament will be held in the Angolan capital between July 8-16.
Kenya are in Pool 'A' alongside Gabon with a third team expected to join them at the conclusion of the regional qualifiers.
"We did not go all out to record a big win in that game (against South Sudan)," noted Gaya.
"Rather we wanted to give the players enough minutes to see what they have to offer."
"Our shot selection is still not good at all. We need to space out a lot and get off a decent shot. We also need to box out and take the right screens," he said.
Gaya said that the team came out more physical after the break which gave them an advantage. They have one week to tighten the screws.
Meanwhile, Gaya said US-based Derick Ogechi, who joined the team after arriving on home Friday from Minnesota, looks the part.
"We gave him a chance during the team's second friendly match against Equity Bank Dumas on Friday and he did well."
Morans won the match 99-97.
"From what we have seen in the minutes he was on the court, he is fine and will pick up as the training continues. We also expect other diaspora-based players."
Morans got off to a bright start against South Sudan racing away to a 7-0 advantage after an opener by Job Byron.
But the losers went on to take a 15-12 first-quarter edge. In the second quarter, Kenya locked the scores at 15-15 before a super show by Eric Mutoro saw him score 10 straight points as Morans went off for a 27-17 margin.
Kenya did well to take a closely fought third quarter by a 19-17 margin before erupting for a strong 17-6 advantage in the fourth to win convincingly.
Mutoro grabbed a game-high of 24 points that went with three three-pointers.
Mariko Akhien and Abot Aboch combined for the losers' 15 points.
The game was watched by a good crowd among them South Sudan Secretary General Arou Ramadhan, who played top-flight ball in the country.