Barclays Eagles had to struggle to beat unlucky University of Nairobi's Terrorists 77-71 in a closely contested national basketball league match at Nyayo National Stadium yesterday.

The varsity lads had started off afternoon showdown in full gear restricting Eagles into two early ties at 2-2 and 5-5.

David Odhiambo hit two points while John Kinyua shot the games first three-pointer as the birds unlocked it at 7-5 and went down into business for a deserved 10-5 advantage.

Terrorists shot accurately through Nelson Asikoyo and William Aluku leaving their opponents in confusion as they closed 19-21 at end of first quarter.

The second quarter started with fireworks from both sides with Terrorists locking the game four times at 21-21, 29-29 , 31-31 and 44-44.

Mike Lopokoyit and new star John Kamau worried Eagles with big steals as Terrorists overtook the tired birds at 48-47 and went a head to punish them opening a seven point lead at 54-47.

The varsity lads lost ideas with their point guard David Mugambi running out of steam as Kinyua and Robert Nyasimi buried two consecutive three-pointers which locked the entertaining duel at 58-58.

With two minutes 41 seconds left, it still remained a seasaw with two battling sides locking again at 68-68. Martin Thiongo shot Eagles up for good at 70-68.

Thiong'o shot 34 points, Kinyua provided 19 for Eagles while Lopokoyit hit 19 with John Kitonga and Kamau replying with 10 each.

CUEA 95 Sadili 89

Francis Shilinde poured in 32 points, Tiit Manyuat finished the game with 22 as Catholic University of East Africa rocked Sadili 95-89 in a lower division league tie.

The students who looked determined for victory from the word go, squeezed a narrow 30-29 half-time lead.

Sadili who have been performing well lately had Ngake Jefferey sinking 27 points, Bernard Ogolla 18 and Jeffer Pout 12.

Saints from Mombasa failed to show-up for their game against league champions Co-operative Bank of Kenya while Kencom Lions were taking on Ulinzi by the time we went to press.

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