USIU Flames bank on home court to smoulder

United States International University are itching to take full advantage of their home court as the Kenya Basketball Federation women’s National Classic League final play-offs shifts from Mombasa to Nairobi this weekend.

The best of five duel between the varsity lasses, popularly known as Flames and coast-based Kenya Ports Authority is finely balanced at 1-1 going into the third clash at Kenya’s capital city on Saturday.

Team captain Georgia Adhiambo believes that playing at their home court at Nyayo Stadium will give them the chance to take the edge in this important third match-up.

“The mentality in the team is good because now we have a chance at using familiar surroundings to win the next match and go on to win the series. We are primed for this,” she said.

Adhiambo lauded the Flames team’s spirit and commitment to winning.

“Students went on holiday but our players decided to cut short their plans to focus on training.

“We are working on fast breaks and post plays because we realised that it was a weak point in our previous game,” she said.

The Flames recovered from a narrow 55-52 loss in game one to even the series courtesy of a 63-56 win last weekend in Mombasa.

“KPA have a strong offensive line and we will try to match them shot for shot,” Adhiambo said.

“There are a few minor injuries for some of our players but I am sure we will be able to shrug them off before the game,” she added.

With the next two games in Nairobi on Saturday and Sunday, plus the fifth play-off on Monday, should the need arise, the varsity students will feel confident of securing the 2015 title.

The Flames are explosive on fast breaks and boasts of some of the league’s most athletic players that can torment any defence.

The key players to watch in this very useful Flames side are guards Cynthia Irankunda, Doreen Nyaga and Georgia Adhiambo who are all lethal from three point range.

The students also possess good defence in towering Sarah Chan who is also a threat at the other end of the court.

KPA, coached by Sammy Kiki, will rely on experienced Mellisa Akinyi and Donsamba Achieng to source for points as they look to avoid a second successive loss that will leave their title chances hanging by a thread.