Equity Bank began their campaign for the 2015 Kenya Basketball Federation(KBF) Women Premier League title on a good note by winning their first game 64-57 against United States International University (USIU) at the weekend.
The playoffs staged to the best of five series at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi saw Samba Mjomba rake in 22 points to propel the bankers to victory.
Her team mate, Salma Akinyi sunk 12 points for the deserved victory. The bankers had started the game on low pace which saw them lose first quarter 18-19 to the students. The following quarter was even worse as the students triumphed 19-11 to take an early 38-29 lead at the breather.
Mjomba then took matters in her own hand to inspire her team mates who rose to the occasion to score points and thwart every opponent’s move on resumption.
The strategy worked well as Equity secured a massive 21-6 victory in the third quarter and wade off stiff challenge in the fourth which they won with half a basket of 14-13.
“It’s a great day for us. It’s a good start for us too. We are taking one game at a time and our hopes are to be the champions for the first time ever in the Premier League,” noted Mjomba after her great contribution.
Sudanese import Sarah Chan was outstanding for USIU. Chan chalked up 13 points as her team mate Mellissa Akinyi looped 12.
USIU coach George Mayienga said there is still hope for his side that represented the country at both Africa Zone V and at the continental championships last season.
“I am glad for our teams’ terrific work to make it to the Men and Women Premier League finals.
We lost to Ulinzi in the men’s finals, but we are determined not to lose the women’s title. We are going to do all we can to redeem ourselves in these playoffs,” Mayienga said.
Masaku Sparks were awarded a 20-0 walkover against Ulinzi in the race for the fifth and sixth position in the Women Premier.
Blades beat Equity Bank 54-26 and will now contest for the men’s Premier League fifth and sixth place final against Co-op Bank.
Blades will contest the men’s seventh and eighth place against Nakuru Club.
men’s Premier League and Division One playoffs were held late last year while KBF had pushed the Women’s Premier League playoffs to this year.