FIBA Africa Zone Five women's basketball: Equity bundled out of Zone Five tourney

Equity Bank's Melissa Akinyi and Selin Okumu (left) of KPA during KBF league Final ladies match at Nyayo Gymnasium. Feb 20, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Poor defense cost former champions Equity Bank Hawks the chance to march to the semifinals of the FIBA Africa Zone Five women's basketball club championship at the Mkapa Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania yesterday.

The 2018 champions were bundled out of the title chase by Rwanda Energy Group (Reg) 52-40 in a quarterfinal match.

The bankers have been relegated to the classification stage and have no chances of playing in the Africa Club Championship scheduled for December.

Equity Bank lost their opening match to Egypt's Alexandria 51-49 and recovered to beat debutants Nile Legends from South Sudan 78-37 to make it to the quarterfinals.

However, in yesterday's match, the Rwandan side was in their own class as they overpowered the Kenyans in all departments.

The winners put up a strong fight from the first whistle to take a 25-18 at the breather.

Hawks power forward Silalei Shani was the most outstanding.

The semifinals will be played today with the final set for tomorrow.