United States International University- Africa (USIU-A) made a mockery of their effort in the last 15 seconds of the game in a 62-65 loss to Strathmore Blades in the men’s Premier League on Sunday.
Blades had dominated the game for the longest period and even led by 10 points in the second quarter at 20-10. It was the biggest lead of the game and USIU-A played second-fiddle to a Blades side that utilized shooting opportunities to keep their varsity peers under check.
USIU-A led twice only; 3-2 and 6-4 all in the early minutes of the first quarter.
Deep into the fourth quarter, they got back to the game and tied scores 62-62 with 15 seconds to play.
Joseph Ongoro had fouled Yoni Wanambiro who made two free shots as Ongoro fouled out. Immediately, Blades called a timeout and scored a basket through Fidel Okoth from the possession.
On the other end, USIU-A called for their timeout with 10 seconds on the clock and they re-strategized. With possession on their side, they had an opportunity to tie scores or make a three-pointer and win.
They fluffed the opportunity as Alex Ramazani opted to play alone and it was costly. He went for an unsuccessful lay-up and from the scramble, Wanambiro fouled Cliff Alela.
He made a free shot to settle the game. In the first quarter, Blades won 18-10. Reuben Muraya and Joseph Ongoro scored a three-pointer each as they raced to a seven-point lead of 13-6.
USIU-A fought back in the second quarter to a deficit of one point at 21-20 with four minutes to play but Blades went up seven points at 31-24.
USIU-A won the quarter 18-17 but Blades had the halftime advantage of seven points. Blades won the third quarter 14-13 but USIU-A conquered in the fourth 21-16.
Ongoro scored 17 points for Blades and Muraya added 14 as Ramazani top scored for USIU-A with 16 points.
Two over two for Umoja
Umoja had a good weekend after winning two games and they had to come back from 14 points to beat Trailblazers 56-36 on Sunday.
Trailblazers won the first quarter 18-7. Present Orengo and Lenson Kisia made a three-pointer each and Emmanuel Kagwa added a basket as they went 8-0 in the first minutes of the game.
The lead soared to 14 points at 16-2. At halftime, Umoja was leading 26-24 after winning the second quarter 19-6.
Nick Ogol put them on the lead from a three-point play. Third quarter was a close call as Trailblazers tied 26-26 with a basket from Kagwa.
Christopher Katimbwa gave them the lead with a basket but Ogol tied for Umoja.
Allan Ouma then made two straight baskets as Umoja led 32-28 and Orengo put Trailblazers back on the lead 33-32. Rodgers Ombati made it 34-33 for Umoja who won the quarter 15-11.
Fourth quarter was the worst for Trailblazers as they managed to score a single free shot through Kisia to lose 1-13.
Ouma scored 12 points for Umoja, Gilbert Obiero added 11 and Ogol finished with nine. Alex Oguso top scored for Trailblazers with nine points and Kisia had eight.
On Saturday, Umoja beat Zetech University 58-51 with Ogol scoring 21 points. Wycliffe Olanya and Chris Oluk scored 10 points each for Zetech.
Equity win against Lions
In another game, Irungu Maina scored four straight three-pointers in the fourth quarter to score 23 points and lead Equity Bank to a 78-64 win over Lions. Harrison Kaudia scored 16 points for Lions as John Achola added 15.
In the women’s Premier League, Co-operative Bank beat Storms 62-48and won the first three quarters 19-11, 11-6 and 18-12 respectively.
Storms won the fourth quarter 19-14 and had Sylvia Omollo top score with 12 points, Matilda Wangari added nine and Linet Mukiri scored eight. Irene Makori scored 13 points for the bankers with Evelyne Itabu and Doreen Nyaga scoring 10 points each.
Equity Bank easily beat USIU-A 65-32 with Linda Alando scoring 16 points and Susan Akinyi added 10. Clarice Achieng scored nine points for USIU-A with Cylia Atieno and Angela Akoth scoring eight each.
The bankers won the first quarter 20-4, the second 20-10 and the fourth 19-10. The students won in the third quarter 9-6.
Results: Saturday- Equity Bank 78 Lions 64, Equity Bank 65 USIU-A 32, Zetech University 69 Strathmore University 51, Zetech University 51 Umoja 58, Daystar University 39 JKUAT 38, KDF Morans 45 Blazers 40; Sunday- Storms 48 Co-op Bank 62, Blazers 79 JKUAT 71, Daystar University 49 ANU 55, Umoja 56 Trailblazers 36, USIU-A 62 Blades 65.
