KCCA Leopards 36-50 UCU Lady Canons
Dmark Power 73-67 Riham Warriors
The 6 game winning streak that Riham Warriors built from the first round through the start the second round is a distant memory. The defending champions have now lost 3 of the last 4 games including Friday night’s 67-73 loss to rivals Dmark Power.
Dmark Power utilised their trips to the foul line in the final couple of minutes to hand Warriors their third loss of the second round and fifth of the season. Power hit 10-of-12 free throws in the span.
“It’s the desire to win that we had. Some times because these guys know they are good play with complacency but not today. We knew they wanted to get possession through fouls and we adjusted our foul shots.” Power’s shooting guard, Joseph Ikong who matched game high 16 points and 4 assists told Kawowo Sports.
Point guard, Ben Komakech scored game high 16 points, picked 12 rebounds and handed out 4 helpers to lead the way for Power (13-2). Norman Blick added 11 points and 10 rebounds while David Kiberu contributed 12 points.
Warriors’ 7 points lead at the start of the second half was the biggest lead they had to the end of the game as Power rallied back with a 10-2 run at the start of the third and kept close going into the decisive quarter. Henry Malinga scored team high 12 points for Warriors (11-5) and the only one who scored in double figures. Ivan Enabu picked season high 14 rebounds to go with 9 points.
Warriors turned desperate and tried to pick up fouls in order to gain possession. Sam Gombya (8 points & 11 rebounds) and Ronnie Kasewu (5 points, 5 rebounds & 4 assists) were victims of the gamble as they fouled out in the final two minutes.
“We lost some concentration and let them get comfortable. We were playing against the clock and trying to get as many possessions as we can but they were converting on the line.” Warriors coach, Emmanuel Samanya said of the game and the final two minutes.
Meanwhile in the women’s division, UCU Lady Canons completed a regular season double on defending champions and rivals KCCA Leopards with a 50-36 win to stay unbeaten.
Lady Canons limited Leopards to no field goal for nearly 7 minutes of the fourth quarter as they cruised to the win. Purity Odhiambo scored game high 20 points to lead the way for Lady Canons. Peace Proscovia added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Martha Soigi scored 10 points and picked 10 rebounds to lead KCCA. Claire Lamunu added 9 points and Flavia Oketcho contributed 8 points.
