Kenyatta University Pirates coach Caleb Osewe was impressed by his team’s performance despite falling 66-64 to the USIU Tigers in a Kenya National Basketball League encounter at Myayo gymnasium.
Had his players converted their free throws, Osewe believes they would be talking of a different story.
“Our strategy in the second quarter sunk us. We had to change tack in the fourth quarter, which worked well for us. But the missed open layups in the final minutes also cost us dearly,” Osewe noted.
“We have learned a lot from this game. We need to do more in training before we head to Eldoret this weekend. We are not taking chances at all.”
Tigers roared to a close 17-16 first-quarter charge and were on the prowl again in the second as they built a 21-10 advantage to lead 38-26 at the break.
USIU hanged 16-13 in the third before KU started a remarkable fight back. But despite leading 25-12, they fell short of a second win.
“KU caught steam and played so well in the last five minutes as they caused us a lot of problems. We were ahead by 18 points at one point and my players thought they had won it. It was a nervy ending,” said USIU’s coach George Mayienga.
Deng Kuol hit 20 points for USIU while Patrick Otango and Anthony Erick combined for 18. Isaac Yaore tallied 15 and Chris Masai added 14.
