Basketball
Equity Dumas One Win Away from KBF Playoffs Final
Equity Dumas clinched their second consecutive win in the men’s Kenya Basketball Federation Premier League play-offs semi-final by beating Ulinzi Warriors 73-66 in Game Two at the Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium on Saturday night.
The win put Equity Dumas just one game away from the final, leading the best-of-five series semi-final 2-0. If they win Game Three on May 27, they will secure their spot in the playoffs finals.
Led by Coach Carey Oketch, Equity Dumas, aiming to win their first-ever men’s Premier League title, defeated Ulinzi Warriors 69-58 in Game One on Friday. Ulinzi Warriors, who lost to Kenya Ports Authority in the 2021 final, must win Game Three to remain in the competition.
Victor Bosire, the veteran shooting guard, contributed 23 points for Equity Dumas, who took an early 28-14 lead in the first quarter. Ulinzi Warriors made a comeback in the second quarter, led by Eric Mutoro, who scored the game-high 31 points and won the quarter 23-10. However, Equity Dumas was able to maintain a slim lead, 38-37 at halftime.
Equity Dumas outscored Ulinzi Warriors 20-12 in the third quarter, assuring their victory. James Mwangi of Equity Dumas and William Ochieng of Ulinzi Warriors each scored 13 points.
In the men’s Division One League play-offs semi-final, USIU-A Tigers took a 2-0 lead by defeating Absa Bank 74-54 in Game Two, after winning Game One 70-58. They have a better chance of winning Game Three and qualifying for the final with a 3-0 sweep.
In another men’s Division One League tie, Strathmore University Team Two-edged closer to the final by defeating Snipers 61-58 in their tightly contested semi-final Game Two.
The varsity students lead the best-of-five series 2-0 after winning Game One 65-58 on Saturday. Game Three is scheduled for May 27.
In the women’s Division One League play-offs semi-final, USIU-A Flames enhanced their chances of reaching the final by defeating Strathmore University Swords Team Two 47-39 in Game Two.
Flames had previously won Game One, 61-45, after leading 25-15 at halftime. Coach George Mayienga’s Flames will need a third consecutive win on May 27 to sail into the final with a clean 3-0 sweep.