Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has taken a significant step towards the semi-finals of the Kenya National Women’s Basketball Premier League playoffs after crushing JKUAT LYNX 96-24 in Game One of their quarter-final clash at the Nyayo Gymnasium in Nairobi on Saturday.
KPA, who had been based in the capital for a week following their last league match last weekend, dominated the game from start to finish.
Selina Okumu, Rebecca Nkatha, and Nigerian Ifunaya Okoro combined for 51 points as the Dockers strolled to victory.
KPA took an early lead, winning the first quarter 40-06 before putting the squeeze on their opponents again in the second quarter, taking a commanding 67-12 lead into the break.
The team showed no signs of slowing down in the second half, establishing a 66-point lead thanks to an 83-17 scoreline in the third quarter before finishing with a 13-07 win in the last quarter.
KPA will now host the students for Game Two next weekend at Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa.
In the men’s premier league playoff match played at Uasin Gishu primary school grounds in Eldoret, Ulinzi Warriors won their quarter-final playoffs Game One against hosts Eldonets Platinum 71-60 to put one foot into the semi-final playoffs.
Eldonets started off well winning narrowly 24-22 in the first quarter, but Ulinzi fought back with an impressive display in the second quarter scoring 24-10 to establish a 46-34 lead at halftime.
Eldonets won the third quarter 11-07, but Ulinzi also fought back with a last-quarter win of 18-15 to take the game home.
Captain Eric Mutoro was instrumental in Ulinzi’s victory, scoring a game-high of 23 points, while James Omwena scored 20 for Eldonets.
In other matches played on Friday, Equity Dumas demolished the University of Nairobi’s Terror 87-68 at Nyayo Gymnasium to take a step towards the semi-finals.
The two sides will meet again on Sunday for Game Two, a match that the bankers can win to qualify for the semis. If the students win, they will be forced to play Game Three next weekend to break the tie.
Meanwhile, City Thunder needs one win to reach the semis after winning Game One 64-57 against Strathmore’s Blades on Friday night. The two sides will face off again on Sunday for Game Two at the same venue.
