Thunder strike to dim Blades play-off hopes

Strathmore Blades saw their bid to secure a play-off spot derailed after losing 61-62 to Thunder during their weekend Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) clash at the USIU Grounds in Nairobi.

Interestingly, Blades won all but one quarter as Thunder capitalized on their third quarter implosion to put the game beyond them with a 26-12 thumping after losing the opening half 34-24 and going down 12-15 in the final quarter.

Fidel Okoth contributed a game-high 30 points for the Blades but it proved insufficient with the defeat leaving Blades needing to win both their remaining two fixtures in order to squeeze into the top eight play-off bracket.

“We hope to regroup and prepare well for our last two games of the regular season,” Blades captain George Okoth, who sat out of the match, told Citizen Digital.

Head coach Tony Ochieng said they played well and they lost the game purely on technicalities with focus switching on preparations for Lakeside whom they face in Kisumu next week.

In the women’s league, Storms won both their weekend matches against Kenyatta University (65-37) and Strathmore University (55-37) thanks to some inspired performances from Mercy Wanyama and Bery Nkatha.

The win lifted Storms into third place on 34 points, behind leaders Equity Bank (39) and defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (34).

SELECTED RESULTS

Saturday

Footprints 59-29 Western Delight

KU ORYX 37-65 Storms

Strathmore 36-34 USIU

Sunday 

Masaku Sparks 56-39 Western Delight

KU ORYX 50-49 Footprints

Strathmore 37-55 Storms

USIU 42-21 Western Delight

Equity Bank VS World Hope (MP)

KU ORYX VS Zetech (WP)