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Equity Bank emasculate KDF’s Ulinzi

Monday, September 16th, 2019 00:00 | By
Dan Omondi of Equity Bank (left) attempts to dribbles past Scott Billy of USIU yesterday at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium during their KBF Premier League match. Equity won 76-35. Photo/PD/RODGERS NDEGWA

Sixteen points in extra time came as the saving grace for Ulinzi Warriors as they completed a double against Equity Bank in a tightly contested Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s league match played at Nyayo Gymnasium on the weekend. 

In a back and forth of leads, the soldiers had the chance to clinch maximum points as the game tied at 72 points with 13 seconds on the clock.

However, Alvin Nyagweso missed his shot on the buzzer forcing the match to head to extra time.  

The first quarter had ended in a 18 all draw but the soldiers assumed the lead by four points going into the breather.  

The second half went the bankers way as they won the two quarters 14-12 and 19-17 to bridge the four point gap for the draw. 

In the extra five minutes, Warriors played a different ball game holding the opponent to just three baskets as they scored 16 points for the win. 

“This was a tough match but we did not play to the best of our ability all the same. 

We allowed Equity to score easy points but the players dose to the occasion when it mattered the most.

We still have two matches left to play against  Thunder and Umoja. We will correct the mistakes we made on the weekend even as we look forward to the playoffs,” said Warriors’ coach William Balozi. 

His opposite number Carey Odhiambo was gutted after the loss saying that the team needs some growing if they are to compete for any titles whether local or international. 

“My players crumbled in extra time and it all goes down to game management. There was also some sense of complacency as they thought the opponent was already beaten.

We had the chance to win the match in regular time and we also did not take our chances. We missed crucial free throws and had some unnecessary turnovers too,” said Odhiambo. 

In their second match of the weekend, the soldiers played for a five point win against World Hope at 56-51. 

The maximum six points take them back to top of the standings with two decider matches left.

On their part, the bankers redeemed themselves in their Sunday match against relegation threatened United States International University - Africa (USIU-Africa)   as they picked a 76-35 win in a highly one sided clash. 

Odhiambo’s charges assumed the lead in the first quarter at 11-8 before adding 22 points in the second quarter as the varsity side score 10 less. 

On resumption, USIU-A seemed resigned to fate as they managed just 15 points in the second half while Equity score 43 for the 41-point win.  

Bankers run over hapless Warriors to pummel them at the weekend KBF highlight match at Nyayo. 

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