Equity Hawks show Safe Spaces why they are league champions

Reigning Kenya Basketball Federation Women’s Premier League champions Equity Bank Hawks affirmed their intentions to retain their title with a resounding 70-50 win against Safe Spaces yesterday.

The bankers who have since recovered from a shaky start to the season that saw them lose three matches to varsity students consolidated their place in the top four. This was their first match of the second leg that will culminate in the top eight sides advancing to the play-offs.

Maryann Nyagaki scored a match high 17 points for Hawks who registered their ninth win having won eight out their 11 first leg ties. Sarah Aporo who has been impressive for Safe Spaces led them with nine points.

A slow start to the game was Safe Spaces major undoing as they let the bankers take a commanding 16-5 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The slip-up forced them to play catch up for the entire match with their brilliant show in the second half that saw them score 22 points one less than Equity counting for nothing.

Their first quarter blunder would see them trail their opponents by 12 points at half-time with the score at 39-27.

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The bankers ensured that they didn’t give Safe Spaces a chance to recover in the second half taking the third quarter 18-12 before easing to victory 13-11 by the final whistle.

In the battle for promotion to the Premier League, Men’s Division One leaders Moischers had a bad weekend out after suffering double defeat to Zetech University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture (JKUAT) students. On Saturday, Moischers who are on top of the table succumbed to a 61-71 loss to Zetech Titans.

Their efforts to bounce back from the defeat were yesterday thwarted by JKUAT Straycats who beat them 79-68.

Straycats who are also seeking a promotion to the top tier were without doubt hungrier for victory fighting from start to end. They took the first quarter 18-15 then scored 19 points against Mosichers 16 in the second to secure a six points advantage at the breather.

Moischers recovered in the third quarter to win it 21-19 and reduce Straycats lead to four points. Determined to end the weekend on a positive note, Straycats fought on to win the fourth quarter 23-16 and register their ninth win. Straycats had on Saturday dismissed Clique Mamba 66-56.

In the Women’s Division One contest, Zetech University Development whipped Footprints 84-39 to extend their winning streak to 14 wins out of 14 outings.

The junior side which is the feeder to the Premier League outfit Zetech Sparks is at the summit of the standings. Eagle Wings also bagged maximum points after forcing a narrow half basket win against JKUAT Lynx.