In a dramatic finale to the Eliud Owalo Foundation Elite Men’s tournament, Nairobi City Thunder emerged victorious over Equity Dumas with an 80-71 win after a nail-biting overtime session at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
The game, which was evenly matched until the final moments, saw Thunder’s Griffin Ligare, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, hit a crucial three-pointer to tie the game at 65-65 and push it into overtime.
Despite Equity Dumas leading and appearing close to victory, Ligare’s late-game heroics shifted the momentum. The Thunder, who had not been defeated by Equity this season, displayed remarkable resilience and dominated the overtime period, outscoring Equity 15-6.
Thunder’s coach Brad Ibs praised his team’s determination, acknowledging that while they struggled with shooting and rebounding, they managed to find a path to victory. Ligare’s standout 25-point performance in the final, where he played for 42 minutes, was pivotal to Thunder’s triumph.
Equity’s Eugene Adera also shone with a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds, but it was not enough to secure a win. The game was a close contest throughout, with Thunder initially leading 17-11 at the end of the first quarter, only for Equity to rally back and lead 27-24 at halftime. The lead seesawed, but Thunder held a slim advantage of 42-40 by the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter saw an intense exchange of three-pointers, with both teams showcasing their long-range shooting skills. Equity’s Feisal Aden contributed 15 points, but it was Thunder’s Albert Odero who became the star in overtime, scoring 10 crucial points to help seal the victory for his team.
The win not only gave Thunder the tournament title but also solidified their reputation as a formidable force in the league, capable of clutch performances under pressure. The thrilling match-up between these two basketball powerhouses will be remembered for its intensity and the high level of skill displayed by both teams.
