United States International University Tigers beat Umoja 64-43 in a Kenya National Basketball League tie at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
The self-supporting Umoja, who beat Kenyatta University Pirates 61-54 the previous day, collapsed under a hail of Tigers’ charge in the second quarter.
USIU led 44-18 at the break and trailed 9-6 in a lowly third quarter and 16-14 in the deciding stanza.
“I am happy with my defence. My biggest concern remains a lapse in the third quarter in all our matches,” noted Tigers’ coach David Maina.
Patrick Otango led the Tigers’ assault with 15 points, Vitumbiko Mponela had 11 and Kuol Deng 10. Umoja had 13 from Douglas Kitavi.
“This is all I need to fix going forward. Otherwise, I am happy with our performance. We target a fifth or sixth-place finish in the regular season.”
“Back-to-back games had it’s toll on my boys. We gave our all against KU and today they all seemed tired,” said Umoja coach Kevin Sunguti.
Against KU, Steve Omondi and Mugisha Kevin had 13 points each while Trevor Opiyo shot 20 for the students.
Zetech University Sparks continued their unbeaten run with a 52-21 thumping of USIU Flames in a women’s match-up.
National team star Madina Okot nailed 17 points for Sparks, who led 27-10 at the breather. They kept the losers scoreless in the second quarter.
Leaders Nairobi City Thunder deflated Absa 86-29. A 21-4 and 29-14 second and third quarter blitz did the damage. Albert Odero scored 22 points and Faheem Juma had 16.
Strathmore University Swords came from 10 points down to hit Storms 52-51. Joy Mupalia had 19 points and Alexander Juma added 13. Babra Diana netted 14 for the losers.
At the Makande Welfare Hall in Mombasa, Kenya Ports Authority side bagged maximum points.
The KPA men defeated University of Nairobi Terrorists 69-52 with Lennox Wanje hitting 14 points and Simon Wambua adding 12. The losers trailed 46-25 at the break.
In the women’s duel KPA thumped Uon Dynamites 89-29 with Vilma Achieng (19 points), Aminata Samessekou (13) and Grace Irebu (10) wrecking havoc.