Thunder strike Equity as KPA pick victory in KBF's Saturday action

Nairobi City Thunder picked their second victory of the 2022 Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men's league as they saw off Equity Dumas in a 65-61 outcome. 

The match had to be decided in overtime as the bankers made a comeback in the final period, scoring 19 points against Thunder's five to tie the scores at 55 points. 

Coach Sadat Gaya had led his charges to a 17-14 lead in the first quarter and scored 12 against the bankers' nine to extend their lead to six going into the break. 

"We started the game well, had a good first quarter with the second turning out okay. The third quarter was amazing but what followed was a horrible final quarter that led to the overtime. At some point we almost gave the game away" said coach Gaya. 

Thunder, heading to the second half with a six-point cushion were again the better side in the third quarter, at one point going 16 points up. They scored 21 against Dumas' 13 to hold a 14-point advantage that they relinquished in the final period. 

"Our opponents also missed some easy shots that if they had made we would be talking about a totally different scoreline. When it came to the overtime, we wouldn't let the game slip twice so we executed well and won the match. 

I can squarely blame the fourth quarter show on myself more than the players. I did not rotate my bench well, something they did and beat us with the fresh legs. I did not use my timeouts and I stuck to one line-up without making any substitutions," explained Gaya. 

The Thunder tactician is, however, not satisfied with the wins as he says the manner in which the side is picking its points is unsustainable as they had barely scrapped through in their win against Africa Nazarene University (ANU).

"We have alot to do especially defensively. We also need to reduce the number of turnovers to single digits. We had 22 against Dumas and that is no way to play for a win. We also have to get our bench in order, ensure that everyone is in a position to execute even in the high-level and pressure matches," added Gaya. 

Meanwhile, Dumas who have acquired the services of Ulinzi Warriors duo of James Mwangi and Victor Bosire as well as Cliff Alela from Strathmore Blades and Pascal Nabwana from Thunder have their work cut out as the season begins with a loss. 

"We started the match well but in the second quarter the players just lost their rhythm and it was downhill from there on.

They got back to the game in the fourth quarter but the comeback was never to be. We go back to the drawing board and restrategise for a better show in the next match. 

Losing this early in the league is also a wake-up call for the players not to rest on their laurels as every team in the league is here to win," coach David Maina offered. 

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) men's and women's sides picked wind against Strathmore University Blades and Swords respectively.