Equity Hawks put off USIU-A Flames in Kenya Basketball Federation tie

Lucy Mbithe of Zetech Sparks in action against Strathmore University. [File]

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women’s Premier League champions Equity Bank Hawks yesterday beat former winners United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Flames 70-63.

The victory saw the bankers maintain their top spot on the log.

Star player Annerose Mandela was on fire sinking 19 points with Betty Kananu and captain Esther Butali adding 13 and 12 points respectively.

Shalet Bweche was the topscorer for Flames with 18 points while Jemimmah Night and Fridah Yagoma scored 16 and 13 points.

 Hawks, who are seeking to successfully defend their crown took a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter. They would score 15 points, one more than the students, to take a 33-31 lead at the breather. Flames stage a brilliant fight in the third period to take it 18-16 and reduce the difference to a half a basket. Hawks, however, regained their footing in the fourth quarter to score 20 points against the students’ 14 and snatch the win.

Equity Bank coach David Maina said his charges were superb in offence. “Compared to last week we were not at our best even though our execution was brilliant offensively. We will have to work on our defensive play because we allowed our opponents to score,” Maina said. 

In another women’s Premier League encounter, Zetech University Sparks bounced back from Saturday’s loss to beat Kenyatta University (KU) Oryx. Sparks dismissed Oryx 43-40 to enhance their chances of qualifying for the playoffs. They needed victory to boost their hopes of making to the last eight having lost to UON Dynamites in their first weekend tie.

Former men’s Premier League champions Ulinzi Warriors thrashed USIU-A Tigers 92-44 to chalk their 17th win of the season.

James Mwangi and Victor Bosire scored 14 points each for the soldiers while David Wanjala added 13. Ariel Ortega starred for Tigers with 12 points with Larry Shavanga adding 11.

Warriors were too good for the students from the onset taking a commanding 25-13 lead by the break of the first quarter. The soldiers would stretch their lead to 52-24 by the end of the first half leaving no room for Tigers to recover. On resumption, Erick Mutoro called the shots as Ulinzi outclassed USIU-A scoring 26 points against nine and seal the victory. The soldiers slowed down in the fourth period, but would still take it 14-11 to consolidate their play-offs slot.