Africa-Press – Kenya. Reigning men’s champions Ulinzi Warriors blanked Strathmore University 78-54 in a playoff semifinals Game One at Nyayo Stadium gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
Victor Bosire opened the scoring for the soldiers with a three-pointer and they were on a roll, building a 24-14 margin in the first quarter.
But Strath clawed back on an 8-0 run to cut the margin to 32-24 as tempers boiled over. They carried the scores to the break.
A relentless Ulinzi, led by captain Eric Mutoro took a 24-16 lead in the third quarter and 22-12 in the fourth to seal the game.
“We did well and showed our true colours when it mattered most after a close first half. We now know how to approach our next game,” said Mutoro.
Mutoro recorded game-high 30 points and Bosire added 22. For Strath, Darryl Omondi made 12 and Bramwel Chula 10.
The students’ coach Tony Ochieng, unamused by the refereeing said: “We started badly, picked up well before the refs threw us off balance with 14 consecutive calls.”
Equity Bank stunned KPA 64-54 to take a 1-0 series lead in the other semifinals.
The porters trailed 11-13 at the first quarter but recovered to take the second 21-16 before leading 32-19 at halftime.
At the end of the third, the scores were 46-45 in favour of the bankers. They made it a 12-point game at 61- 49 and iced it in the last stanza.
“We won but I am not happy with the third and fourth quarters when we took a 12-point lead and almost lost it.”
“We must win Game Two for us to have a good footing going to Mombasa,” said Equity coach Carey Oketch.
For More News And Analysis About Kenya Follow Africa-Press
