13 July 2015

KENYA : Ulinzi overcome strong Zetech challenge to snatch narrow win

  • An anxious Ulinzi Warriors coach William Balozo.Ulinzi beat Zetech 64-61 on Saturday.(Photo by Shutterspeed)
Ulinzi Warriors needed extra time to beat Zetech University 64-61 in a men premier league inter-conference game that they interestingly dominated at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium on Saturday.
The soldiers started off with an 11-point advantage in the first quarter winning 15-4. Zetech won the second quarter 19-13 for Ulinzi to lead 28-23 at the breather. At one point in third quarter, the soldiers enjoyed a 15 points lead to win the quarter 16-9.
Trailing by 12 points heading to the fourth quarter, Zetech was not ready to go down without a fight. The introduction of Keith Luvisi who had warmed the bench for long changed the game for Zetech, their offensive play gaining momentum.
They hit back strongly and managed to make it a one-point game at 46-45 with the clock reading 4:47. Jeremy Opiyo, one of their key players, was then fouled out at a time his input was highly needed but teammates held steady.
Jeremy Yongo scored a free shot to tie the game and that set an intriguing finish. Joshua Kisali scored a basket as Zetech took the lead for the first time at 48-46 but Ulinzi tied the game again with a Byron Mabonga basket.
Kisali hit back again with a basket to give Zetech a 50-48 lead before Ulinzi leveled and took control.
At 0:12 on the clock, Ulinzi were leading 55-53 and Zetech called a tactical time-out that came with possession.
They took only two seconds after resumption for Luvisi to sink a contested basket and tie the game at 55-all pushing play to overtime. Zetech won fourth quarter 23-11 which proved to be the turning point. In overtime, Ulinzi won 9-6 with scores tied twice at 58-all and 60-all.
Ancette Wafula top scored or Ulinzi with 17 points, two rebounds and seven steals while William Ochieng added 13 points and grabbed four rebounds.
Kisali scored a game high 25 points for Zetech who did not make any 3-point shot from 20 attempts and made nine free shots from 24 attempts. Ulinzi scored four 3-pointers after attempting 18 times plus 24 free shots against 45 attempts.
Masaku beat Eagles
Masaku Sparks was in fine form as they dispatched Eagle Wings 68-53 in the women premier league. Eagles took a slim 13-12 first quarter lead.
Within two minutes of second quarter, Masaku was 20-13 up with two 3-pointers from Fridah Gumra and a basket from Michelle Otinda.
They went on to win the quarter 26-16 and enjoy a 9-point lead at halftime. Masaku sailed to safety with a 19-10 win in third quarter as Eagles won the fourth 14-11. Felmas Adhiambo top scored for Masaku with 17 points and Gumra added 12.
Sylvia Koech scored highest for Eagles with 13 points; Lucy Machuma had 12 while Eunice Ouma scored 11,seven coming off free throws. Masaku scored four 3-point shots from 20 attempts and 8 free shots from 18 attempts.
For Eagles, they attempted eight times at the 3-point line scoring none while 23 free shots were made from 45 attempts. Strathmore Swords had an easy win over Kenyatta University Oryx scoring 74-20.
They restricted Oryx to a low scoring game of 22-8, 21-4, 19-8 and 12-0 respectively. Mollete Achieng led the scores for Strathmore with 19 points, Mercy Odima added 16 and Sarah Wakanyi had 11. Berine Okoth scored 8 points for Oryx coming off two 3-pointers and two free shots.
Strathmore made one 3-point shot and 15 free shots against Oryx two 3-pointers and six free shots. In division one, Blazers narrowly beat 4-Christ 48-46 and Trailblazers won 65-32 against Parklands Baptist.
FORMER national champions Ulinzi ‘Warriors’ gunned down Zetech University 64-61 in overtime in a tightly contested Premier League duel at Nyayo National Stadium.
The soldiers took a 15-4 first quarter edge before the students stormed back with a 19-13 score-line in the second stanza. But Ulinzi still hanged on to 28-23 at the break. After the breather, the two teams rarely found the target with Ulinzi taking the third quarter 16-9 and Zetech clawing right back for 16-9 difference to lock the scores 55 all at the end. Ulinzi were top in the extra five minutes with a 9-6 cushion. Ancette Wafula managed 16 points while William Ochieng added 9. The students had 22 from Joshua Kisiali and 10 from Fredrick Odhiambo.
Masaku Sparks took a 38-29 half-time lead and went on to beat Eagle Wings 68-53 in a women’s fixture. Felmus Adhiambo posted 17 points and Fridah Gumba added 12. The losers had 15 from Cathy Nedesa and 12 from Lucy Machuma.
Strathmore University easily trounced Kenyatta University 74-20, behind 18 points from Mercy Odima and 17 from Mollete Achieng. ‘Oryx’ had 8 from Beryl Okoth.
At the Upper Hill School courts, Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) suffered a humiliating 63-33 thumping at the hands of Blades. In the women’s matches, Co-operative Bank of Kenya nailed Mennonites 76-22 and Ulinzi ‘Blades’ cut Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University 53-15 with Bridgit Nanzala posting 20 points.
In the lower division, Blazers nipped 4-Christ 48-46 with Joseph Koech hitting 16 points. Preston Orengo nailed 15 as Trailblazers hit Parklands Baptist 65-32
World Hope lost 51-52 to Africa Nazarene University (ANU) and host Upper Hill had 35 points from David Ouma as they blanked Mount Kenya University, Thika 92-88.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/former-champs-ulinzi-gun-down-tough-zetech-university-overtime-nyayo#sthash.lHRgdcyo.dpuf

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