Basketball prowess, the Strathmore University Blades have surged into the Kenya National Basketball League playoff semifinals. Their coach, Tony Ochieng’, has commended his team’s remarkable performance following their sweeping victory over the third-seed United States International University (USIU), clinching the series 2-0.
Ranked sixth in the regular season, the Blades played a phenomenal game to overpower USIU with a decisive 77-55 win. This victory marks a significant milestone for the Blades, as they continue their pursuit of the championship title. Ochieng’, who previously led the team to their first national finals in 2018, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s execution and determination.
“It was a fantastic job. We wanted to win it more. Our shots were falling and the defense was working. Our offensive execution and character were great,” Ochieng’ said. He emphasized the strategic adjustments that were key to their victory, particularly in rebounding and defensive plays. “We adjusted by dominating boards and cutting off their guards which helped us make more than eight blocks. We also used our plays well on post players.”
The game saw the Blades take an early lead in the first quarter with a 20-15 scoreline. Despite trailing 23-15 in the second quarter, the team made a strong comeback in the third with an impressive 22-7 run, and sealed their victory with a 20-10 advantage in the final quarter.
On the other side, USIU’s coach David Maina acknowledged the effort his team put into the game, despite falling short in the second half. “We gave our best but it was not good enough. We did what we wanted, but our energy went down in the second half,” Maina remarked.
With this victory, the Blades now set their sights on the semifinals, driven by the momentum of their recent success and Ochieng’s strategic guidance. The team’s blend of robust defense, effective offense, and strong character will undoubtedly be key factors as they aim for the championship prize.
