Nairobi City Thunder dimmed champions Kenya Ports Authority 59-50 at Makande Welfare Hall, Mombasa, to take a 2-0 series lead in the men's playoff finals
The unbeaten City roared to a 19-9 first quarter advantage and managed a 21-14 edge in the second quarter for a 33-24 halftime cushion.
KPA turned the tide 18-10 in the third quarter but let go the deciding quarter as Thunder did enough to take a 16-9 margin and the game.
"We’re happy to squeak out two victories in a really tough place," said Thunder coach Brad Ibs.
"We changed some things at halftime that allowed us to slow them down a bit and turn defence into offence. Today's was one of those games you just have to grind out possession."
"The surface was extremely wet, the ball was extremely wet, and it was a strong test of our mental toughness," he added.
Albert Odero scored 17 points and Garang Ding notched 10 for Thunder. Tobias Odhiambo was the only KPA player to hit double figures,15.
Thunder won Game One 73-70 on Saturday as on-form Odero erupted for 24 points.
"It has not been easy to stay unbeaten. We’ve played a lot of games with a target on our back. It takes a lot of composure and mental toughness to grind out wins. It also takes guys who are strongly committed to each other. That is what I’m most proud," he added.
In the women’s category, Equity Bank Hawks stunned Kenya Ports Authority 67-62 at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi. Vallary Kemuno notched 13 points and Betty Kananu added 10.
