NAIROBI (Kenya) - In a match that all Nairobi City Thunder's players drop at least four baskets, Cape Verde champions Kriol Star had no response as they went down 104-71 to see the hosts remain perfect in the East Division Elite 16.
Chasing a maiden Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualification on their first time of asking and with the 2-0 run, the Bradley Ibs-coached side are assured of a Semis berth, where the winners in the Last Four will book their tickets to BAL 2025.
Abdoulaye Harouna got action going with a trey and the opening two minutes became a treble clinic as Patrick McGlynn responded, Garang Diing and Kenneti Mendes following suit for 6-6.
The game was tied again on 10 before skipper Tylor Ongwae orchestrated an 8-point run, scoring five with Harouna dropping his second trey forcing the Islanders into a timeout.
McGlynn's added back-to-back treys for the Cape Verdians but the home side maintained their tempo for a 24-16 first quarter lead.
Two and a half minutes into the second quarter Ibs' charges were 33-18 up. Ater Majok's three-point play, a dunk that sent Nyayo Gymnasium wild, and a resulting free-throw as he was fouled by Mendes doubled the lead at 40-20, halfway through the second period, for the Kenyan champions.
The match headed to the halftime break with the hosts leading 51-31.
Kriol played their best basketball in the third quarter to trail 21-17, while the host sealed their victory with a 32-20 final quarter show.
TURNING POINT: Kriol still had a chance after a 24-16 first period but allowing Thunder to go on a 16-4 run in the opening half of the second quarter sealed their fate as they were unable to recover from the 20-point deficit.
HERO: Garang Diing's match-high 20 in efficiency, off 14 points and 8 rebounds helped the Kenyan side remain perfect in a match that had Albert Odero top scorer with 15. The side's squad rotation, however, takes the cake.
STATS DON'T LIE: The home side dominated the paint 50-28, showing their bench power with a 50-11 performance from the two sides, Kriol left with little options as only eight of their ten players were used.
Kriol had a shooting 6-of-13 from range, three from McGlynn. They were shut out in the second half, managing just one in 14 attempts, as the hosts went 11-of-30 in their victory.
BOTTOM LINE: Thunder go 2-0 to give themselves an upper hand for a place in the Last Four while Kriol will fight for their chance in the last group match against South Africa's MBB Blue Soldiers. Both sides head to the match on a 1-1 run.
THEY SAID: "It was a good game, the last two days have been. We are not going too high or low, we have tried to stay level as we know the job is far from done. We will keep our foot on the gas in the last match, fight, execute well, set defense, just keep to Thunder basketball. Hosting gave us a big energy boost and we are eager to repay it." Nairobi City Thunder forward Albert Odero.
"We were excited after the win yesterday but we knew we are up against a good and talented side. Being the home team they really fed on the crowd and that affected how they played as we got sucked in. All in all, having had just one practice before the competition, with new players in the squad, we are still trying to figure out plays and work on chemistry. However, that is no excuse, we will do better in the next match, well aware there is a Semis slot at stake," Kriol Star guard Patrick McGlynn.
FIBA