Equity douse Flames in key tie
David Maina-coached Equity Bank Hawks picked a 70-63 win against United States International University - Africa (USIU-Africa) Flames in a match played yesterday at the Nyayo Indoor Arena to maintain the lead in the women’s Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) league.
Annerose Mandela, Betty Kananu and Esther Butali led the bankers’ onslaught with 19,13 and 12 while the students had Shalet Bweche, Jemima Night and Fridah Yagoma for the close game despite the loss with 18,16 and 13 points respectively.
Hawks assumed the lead in the first period 19-17 and extended the lead to three points at 34-31 in to the breather. Flames clawed back to close the gap to just half a basket after the third quarter. Maina’s charges, however, held their nerve in the final period to win by seven points.
“Our offensive approach is very good but our defence was shaky in the weekend match.
However, our three point conversion was below par as we converted two in 21 attempts. Generally, we played better last weekend than we did in this. I am hoping we will get that rhythm back in the remaining two regular league matches and on to the playoffs,” said Maina.
He added: “We allowed the opponent to score 38 points in the paint, they had just five attempts from outside the arc. That means our defence is allowing them to drive to the basket and that needs to change.”
The bankers hit camp today in preparation of their inter-banks competition scheduled for later this month and consequently the FIBA Zone Five club championship set to be played in October.
“With just two matches left to the conclusion of our regular league, the two competitions come as a blessing as they keep my players active in the anticipated long layoff period before the playoffs throw off,” added Maina.
Meanwhile, coach Evelyne Kedogo’s Eagle Wings recovered from their painful 46-45 loss to Flames on Saturday to beat Africa Nazerene University (ANU) 68-39. On their part, Zetech got the better of their varsity rivals Kenyatta University Oryx in a 43-40 outcome.
