Umoja outclass EMYBA Pride in derby

Kenya Basketball Federation men’s league side Umoja defeated EMYBA Pride 80-61 Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium on Sunday in a spirited fight that ended their poor start to the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) season.

It was EMYBA’s first loss of the season perhaps indicating the derby status of the match in which both sides gave their all to claim the bragging rights.

However, it was Umoja’s precision from behind the arch that carried the day with the Nick Ogola coached side hitting three consecutive three-pointers in the closing stages to stretch their lead beyond EMYBA’s reach.

Umoja started strongly in the first quarter with Collins Sudi pouncing on Brian Oyoo’s three-point attempt to convert before Bryan Kuria’s half-court-long pass was converted by Fredrick Ochieng to restore parity.

Brian Kanani restored Umoja’s lead with a step-back three-pointer before Brian Oyoo’s back-to-back threes established 10-4 for the home side.

EMYBA’s Emanuel Ekai made a three-point shot from the perimeter to make it a five-point game as Umoja’s coach Ogola called for a timeout with 1.23 on the clock.

Upon resumption, Umoja stamped their authority on the game with Daniel Mwangi’s lay-up shot and Jason Sakwa’s three-pointer after being beautifully set up by Collins Sudi establishing a 24-11 lead into the breather.

They picked up from where they left in the first quarter by scoring five unanswered points through Dennison Moibi and Michael Munene to make it a 16-point game.

EMYBA were the stronger side in the second quarter outscoring their opponents 17-15 to reduce their arrears to ten points but trailed 39-29 into half-time.

Umoja spaced out the floor and excellent boxing out capped by better shooting in the third and fourth quarters proved vital as they held out for an 80-61 lead against their bitter rivals.

Speaking to Citizen Digital after the game, Umoja head coach Kevin Sunguti attributed their win to the excellent preparations they have had this week.
“We have struggled in our previous games because we had not had proper training.

“Today was a derby since we come from the same area so our win is even sweeter.”

Earlier in the women league, Zetech University overcame UON Dynamites by a basket thanks to a 40-37 scoreline while Storms trounced KU Oryx 66-36 in the mid-day fixture.

Storms head coach Abel Nson hailed his charges for their shooting prowess.

“We are a shooting team and am happy the girls expressed themselves today.

“There are many areas we need to work on before our next game against KPA,” he told Citizen Digital.

RESULTS

Umoja 80-66 EMYBA Pride

Zetech University 40-37 UON Dynamites

EMYBA 76-63 Nairobi City Thunder

Storms 66-36 KU Oryx