Strathmore University Blades still have their eyes on the top-four finish despite their latest defeat against Nairobi City Thunder in the Kenya National Basketball League.
Strathmore lost 78-63 to Thunder over the weekend. Strathmore coach Tony Ochieng insists they are still on target although they will have to win all their remaining matches to achieve that target.
“We did well against Thunder. We managed to contain them in all areas,” Ochieng offered. He added: “We allowed back-to-back easy baskets in the third quarter and a couple of bad decisions.”
The students, who are 11th in the 12-team league, have lost eight of their 14 games and have 20 points. Unbeaten Thunder are on 34 points.
Both teams were deadlocked 20-20 in the first quarter before Thunder broke away 25-20 in the second for a tight 45-40 half-time advantage.
They cruised to an 18-8 edge in the third quarter with Albert Odero Garang Ding and Faheem Juma combining for 13 of those points.
Sensing the game was drifting away, Blades then charged to lock the scores 15-15 in the deciding stanza but it was too little, too late.
“It was not an easy game. We turned things around in the third and fourth quarters. They made a late run but we managed to secure the win.” said Thunder assistant coach Sadat Gaya.
Odero nailed 15 points, Ariel Ortega and Juma dropped 14 each and Garang Ding made 12. For Blades, Timothy Ayieko scored 19 and Denis Koja 10.
United States International University (USIU) Tigers continued their impressive run, hitting Absa 87-66 after trailing 16-15 in the opening quarter.
The high-riding students were up 25-21 in the second before erupting for a 26-13 and 21-16 score-line in the last two quarters.
“The players are taking the instructions very well and take any challenge that comes their way,” said coach David Maina
“We need to make some adjustments on our defence which I feel was not good in the first half.”
He went on: “We also need to shoot more and make our opponents not have it easy playing against us.”
Deng Kuol sunk 23 points, Yobesh George shot 19 and Anthony Eric added 14 for Tigers. Brian Ondieki had 21 and Denis Kemboi 12 for Absa.
