New United States International University Tigers coach David Maina said he is happy with his first outing with the varsity side and will make adjustments as they go along.
Bottom-placed Tigers blanked Strathmore University Blades 61-57 on Sunday in a Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) league clash at Nyayo Stadium over the weekend. It was their second win in four matches.
The veteran tactician is not new to USIU having handled the team for seven years before moving to take up a new role with Equity Bank, whom he guided to two national titles.
“It was not a bad game. I am happy with how we started. We led in the first two quarters before we lost control in the third, where they took the lead. But we recovered well in the fourth to bag the points,” said Maina.
Maina, who also handled reigning champions Kenya Ports Authority teams, said a lot of work will have to be done to make the teams return to the Premier League a success.
“It was not one of their best games which suggests that a lot of work will have to be put in to polish up the team. We will work hard to continue the trend of winning,” he said.
“We also all understand that the team is not playing in Division One and that things will be a little bit different. We will inject some new things as the opposition is a bit tighter. But I am happy they are eager to learn.”
Africa Nazarene University (ANU) Wolfpacks dismissed Kenyatta University 71-59 in another tie. This was the Rongai-based students' second win in seven games. They have nine points.
“We played well, although, in the third quarter, we committed a lot of mistakes that we need to correct. We are growing gradually which is a step in the right direction and I believe we will perform even better in the next game,” offered ANU coach Mike Oluoch.
The Caleb Osewe-coached KU like eighth on the log, having won only one of their seven games played so far.
“We had the game throughout but lost at the last minute. I have taken the loss positively because the team has tremendously improved. We expect good results very soon,” said Osewe.
In the lower division, Strathmore University were thumped 86-67 by Zetech University as Little Prince hit Feba 65-39. The women’s ties saw Footprints walloped Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University 47-8.
