Nairobi City Thunder deflated Umoja 74-49 in a Kenya National Basketball League clash at Nyayo Stadium gymnasium on Sunday.
The winners, who are out to set the tone in this year’s league, got off to a slow start, taking the first quarter 14-10. But they showed character in the second by blowing Umoja away with a 21-8 margin.
A 26-10 difference in the third stanza before Umoja swiftly responded with a barrage of their own to take the last quarter with a 21-13 cushion but it proved too little too late.
Former Umoja shooting star Moses Alier hit his old side with 11 points as did Garang Diing and Darill Omondi. Umoja were pepped by Tony Okal, who shot 12, Olimgo Omondi (11) and Douglas Kivaiti (10).
Equity Bank Hawks dimmed United States International University Flames 53-47. The former two-time national champions got this encounter off to a good start, taking a 30-20 lead at the breather.
However, the students’ gritty fightback saw them turn the tide in the third stanza with a deserved 14-8 lead before narrowly trailing by a close 15-13 margin in the deciding quarter.
National team players Rachael Akinyi and Maryann Nyagaki led the victors’ charge with 14 and 12 points respectively. Judith Pantaleo scored 14 and Divine Isaboke added 12 for USIU.
Hawks clawed Storms 64-49 in a match played on Friday evening as captain Melissa Akinyi scored 18 points. The losers’ Teresa Ekesa managed 13 and Sylvia Omollo posted 10.
The men’s side Equity Bank Dumas on the other hand suffered a shock 65-62 defeat at the hands of Umoja, who blasted off to a 16-5 first half edge but trailed 22-10 in the second.
After the breather, they again surged ahead 18-13 and garnered maximum points with another close 22-21 effort in the deciding stanza.
“I have a group of young players who just go to a game with a winning attitude. Something that I lacked. They were not afraid of big names.” Offered Umoja’s tactician Kevin Sunguti.
Former national champions Ulinzi Warriors subjected Absa to a harrowing Premier League return, thrashing them 91-53.
In the Lower Division matches, Moi Air Base blanked Strathmore University 72-62 while Rose Mshila’s Clique Mambas beat visiting Congo Nets 79-61.
The ladies’ matches saw Footprints dim former Premier League side Eagle Wings 54-40 and Butere Girls overwhelmed neighbours Western Delight 76-41.
