Nairobi City Thunder Outlasts MBB in Gritty Nile Conference Battle to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Nairobi City Thunder Outlasts MBB in Gritty Nile Conference Battle to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Despite a hard-fought 85-76 victory over MBB, the Nairobi City Thunder (NCT) still finds itself anchored in fourth place in the fiercely contested Nile Conference. The win was anything but smooth, as the game unfolded as a defensive slugfest, especially in the opening stages.

MBB came out with intensity, drawing first blood and taking a narrow 24-20 lead after the first quarter. Their energy was fueled by a dominant performance from Teafale Lenard, who seemed to channel his inner Pascal Siakam with a staggering 39-point outburst. His offensive explosion kept MBB in the contest even as the tide began to shift in the second quarter.

By halftime, NCT had wrestled away a slim 41-39 lead, setting the stage for a tense and physical second half. Jovan Mooring stepped up for MBB with 15 points, helping them stay neck-and-neck with their Kenyan opponents through most of the third quarter. But it was in the final period that the Thunder’s depth and composure finally broke through MBB’s resistance.

Nairobi’s offensive engine roared to life in the fourth, with six players scoring in double figures—an overwhelming show of team effort that MBB couldn’t match. Leading the charge was Albert Odero with 23 points, while Uchena Iroegbu added a smooth 14 to keep the momentum alive. The paint was owned by Diing Akol, who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Eugene Phillips matched the feat with 10 points and a game-high 14 boards, locking down the interior on both ends.

In the final stretch, it was all Nairobi City Thunder. Smart ball movement, timely steals, and an aggressive rebounding edge allowed them to outscore MBB in crunch time, pulling away and silencing any hopes of a late South African rally.

Still, with tight standings, the win wasn’t enough to lift NCT above fourth place. Yet the victory sends a clear message: Nairobi City Thunder has the grit, the depth, and the firepower to compete with anyone in the Nile Conference—especially when their collective game clicks.

They’ll need more of that synergy if they’re to make a real playoff push. But for now, the Thunder roars on. Therefore, We will have to wait until tomorrow, Sunday, on the last day, to know if MBB can compost its ticket for the playoffs and the final.
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[Photography Courtesy of The BAL]