Hawks beat UoN as dockers edge out Lakeside in Kisumu

UoN Dynamite's Faith Atieno, with ball and Melissa Akinyi of Equity Bank during Kenya Basketball Federation League at Nyayo Gymnasium. June 8, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

USIU-A woes continue as they suffer eighth loss in the league.

Champions Equity Bank Hawks recovered from last weekend's disappointing Mombasa trip to beat University of Nairobi (UON) Dynamites at Nyayo Gymnasium. 

The bankers, who are defending the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women's premier league title beat the students 57-35 to register their eighth win. Belinda Akoth starred for Hawks with 16 points while Melissa Akinyi scored 12. Faith Atieno sunk 13 point for Dynamites while Valery Kemunto added eight.

Equity Bank captain Esther Butali said they were determined to maintain consistency with the aim post positive results. We want to defend our title," Butali said. 

The bankers, who are reigning FIBA Zone Five champions, banked on experience as they overpowered the students who made their debut in the top tier league this season. Dynamites staged a good fight in the first quarter forcing a level 12-12 score before they were outclassed in the second. Equity scored 13 points against the students'three to take a 25-15 lead at the breather. 

Equity dominated the Dynamites in the second half taking the third and fourth quarters 16-12 and 16-8 to seal victory. In another women's premier league tie, United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) suffered another eartbreak after going down 40-52 to Eagle Wings. The result reduced their chances of making it to the play-offs later in the year. 

Hellen Oketch scored a match-high 17 with Beryl Okoth adding 14 as Eagle Wings cruised to victory in a battle of former champions. Jemimmah Omondi and Josephine Onyango scored 11 and ten points for Flames respectively. Eagle Wings, who bounced back from back to back losses last weekend took a 24-16 half-time advantage.

There was no looking back for Eagle Wings as they sunk 28 points against the students' 24 in the second half. 

In Kisumu, men's premier league defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) beat Lakeside 69-50. Valentine Nyankinda starred for KPA with 12 points while Trivia Gari scored nine for the home side.