21 September 2009

KENYA : Lions tamed, Queens lose run

By CAXTON APOLLO

National basketball league champions Kenya Commercial Bank Lions crashed 72-70 at the hands of the regional kings, Co-operative Bank, in a closely contested return leg tie at the Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium at the weekend.

The victory was a sweet revenge for Co-op Bank, who lost the first leg match with half a basket (60-59).

Lions had started off well, with the intention of denying their fellow bankers all the four points, with a 18-16 first-quarter lead. But Co-op made quick decisions to change their game, which saw them snatch the second quarter 19-17. The teams tied the scores 35-35 at the breather.

On resumption, Victor Odendo, Dennis “Dikembe” Opiyo and Tobias Onyango of Lions were on target. And although Co-op resisted the pressure through the efforts of Eugene Genga and Richard Osano, Lions carried the third quarter 21-18.

Working strategy

It was in the last quarter where Co-op coaches Carey Oketch and Bosire Bogonko came out with a working strategy to prove their stubborn opponents wrong. Co-op outscored Lions 19-14 in the hour of need to grab the two points.

Osano and Genga each scored 18 points while Moses Kamau hit 11 for the winners. Odendo hit 17 points, Onyango shot 14 while Opiyo replied with 15 for Lions.

In the women’s category, Eagle Wings shattered Eastern Queens’ 10-match unbeaten run when they rocked them 66-61. Wings, who had faded against Queens in their season opener, losing 20-0, were this time round aggressive from start, racing a 8-0 early run.

Anastasia Njeri, Eunice Ouma and Bridgid Nanzala put Queens to task, making them go dry in five opening minutes. Wings were in a class of their own to lead 33-26 at half-time.

Head the standings

Queens, who still head the standings with 21 points despite losing their unbeaten run, came into the game a little bit too late and their 25-19 lead in the last quarter could not save them. Njeri scored 20 points and Ouma added 18 for Wings while Hilda Indasi scored 15, Mitcelle Otinda hit 12 and Linda Alando 11 for the losers.

In the men’s Division One league, Billy Ongute scored game-high 21 points while Steve McOdongo shot 11 to help Mennonites beat visiting Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology 72-64. By CAXTON APOLLOPosted Sunday, September 20 2009 at 18:52

National basketball league champions Kenya Commercial Bank Lions crashed 72-70 at the hands of the regional kings, Co-operative Bank, in a closely contested return leg tie at the Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium at the weekend.

The victory was a sweet revenge for Co-op Bank, who lost the first leg match with half a basket (60-59).

Lions had started off well, with the intention of denying their fellow bankers all the four points, with a 18-16 first-quarter lead. But Co-op made quick decisions to change their game, which saw them snatch the second quarter 19-17. The teams tied the scores 35-35 at the breather.

On resumption, Victor Odendo, Dennis “Dikembe” Opiyo and Tobias Onyango of Lions were on target. And although Co-op resisted the pressure through the efforts of Eugene Genga and Richard Osano, Lions carried the third quarter 21-18.

Working strategy

It was in the last quarter where Co-op coaches Carey Oketch and Bosire Bogonko came out with a working strategy to prove their stubborn opponents wrong. Co-op outscored Lions 19-14 in the hour of need to grab the two points.

Osano and Genga each scored 18 points while Moses Kamau hit 11 for the winners. Odendo hit 17 points, Onyango shot 14 while Opiyo replied with 15 for Lions.

In the women’s category, Eagle Wings shattered Eastern Queens’ 10-match unbeaten run when they rocked them 66-61. Wings, who had faded against Queens in their season opener, losing 20-0, were this time round aggressive from start, racing a 8-0 early run.

Anastasia Njeri, Eunice Ouma and Bridgid Nanzala put Queens to task, making them go dry in five opening minutes. Wings were in a class of their own to lead 33-26 at half-time.

Head the standings

Queens, who still head the standings with 21 points despite losing their unbeaten run, came into the game a little bit too late and their 25-19 lead in the last quarter could not save them. Njeri scored 20 points and Ouma added 18 for Wings while Hilda Indasi scored 15, Mitcelle Otinda hit 12 and Linda Alando 11 for the losers.

In the men’s Division One league, Billy Ongute scored game-high 21 points while Steve McOdongo shot 11 to help Mennonites beat visiting Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology 72-64.

Impressive results

Mennonites took the game seriously from the first buzzer to lead 45-38 at half-time. Fred Lugasi had no support, but he managed to score 11 points for the Kakamega-based students.

Parklands Baptist continued to post impressive results in the second leg when they defeated Nairobi Pentecostal Church 68-44. The winners looked too smart for their weak opponents to lead 32-28 at half-time.

Daniel Imbali did the damage, scoring 21 points, Collins Ngira had 18 and Hillary Radcliff 11 for Baptists. Kenneth Githinji struggled to reply with 13 for NPC.

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