Strathmore University’s mens’ basketball team, the Blades, took highest honors in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) pre-season tournament on March 21st and 22nd at the KCB Grounds in Ruaraka. The tournament was meant to prepare teams for the KBF premier league season which will kick off on April 4^th. The Blades were the pre-season gala’s defending champions after beating Cooperative Bank in the finals last year.

 

In the opening game, Blades, pitted against Africa Nazarene University,  won 47-42. Mohamed Abdi and Ambrose Sigu each contributed 11 points. In the second match, the Blades narrowly lost 49-44 to Lamboritz, a squad that was recently promoted to the premier league. Frank Simiyu scored 15 points as Michael Otula added 2 long-range three-pointers, but that was not enough to win the game.

. Edwin Otula, Mike Otula, Joshua Oswana and Mohamed Abdi each sank two three-pointers. The win lifted the Blades to the semi finals where they prevailed over KCA University 55-40. The team scored 40 points all from open shots as David Ogolla and Kelvin Waweru combined well to steer the team to the finals.The two teams were evenly matched in the first three quarters, with quarterly scores of 7-8, 11-11, and 12-12. But a strong 11-2 fourth quarter scoring drive by The Blades powered Strathmore to victory. Kelvin Waweru and David Ogolla led the way to ensure that Blades successfully defended their tournament crown.

 

 

Ochieng praised the team and noted that only two senior players took part in this tournament. “Most of the players we fielded today joined us this year which is a good thing for purposes of development and depth and ensuring there is more competition amongst players,” Ochieng noted.

 

. As of this posting, the Blades are leading in the Universities Basketball League, having won all the five matches they have played so far.