Basketball: Former champions Equity Hawks kick off season with win over ANU

From Left- Equity Hawks' Esther Butali, Rita Oluoch and Samba Mjomba celebrate after winning KBF playoffs game 3 finals against KPA at Gymnasium, Nyayo National Stadium on Friday night, Dec 20, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Former Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Women's Premier League champions Equity Bank kicked off the 2022 season on a high note after seeing off Africa Nazarene University (ANU) 69-48 at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium Sunday.

The bankers, who were dethroned by Kenya Ports Authority last season, got an early scare from ANU, who led 17-16 lead in the first quarter.

The bankers fought back in the second quarter but the students refused to be intimidated as Equity led 13-12 as the sides went into the break tied at 29-29.

In the final half, Equity again led 13-12 lead at end of the third quarter before a massive 27-7 lead in the fourth quarter sealed their first win of the season.

In another women's Premier League match, Strathmore University Swords saw off Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) 49-34.

In Division One, newcomers Scarlet maintained their winning ways when they rocked MultiMedia University 52-39.

In Butere, hosts Butere Giris rallied from behind to defeat the experienced Western Delight 62-49.

In the men’s Premier League, Ulinzi Warriors got the better of Nairobi City Thunder with a hard fought 65-39 win on Saturday.

This was the soldiers their third consecutive victory.

Elsewhere, newly promoted African Nazarene University defeated Umoja 76-63.