Hawks soar past KPA, claim KBF title advantage

Equity Hawks claimed a crucial 54-51 win over title rivals Kenyan Ports Authority in Game Three of the five-game final series to firmly take control of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women Premier League title at Nyayo Gymnasium.

The Dockers drew the first blood winning the first quarter 14-11 but their efforts came to naught in the second, third and fourth quarters where they were completely run over by the rampaging Hawks.

The Hawks won the second quarter 13-12 but still went to halftime trailing 26-24.

In the second half, the Hawks continued to utilise their home court advantage to the maximum when they won the third quarter 16-15 before winding it up with a 14-10 in the last quarter.

KPA’s Hilda Indasi splashed 14 points to lead the scoring charts followed by Vila Owino who scored 10 while Equity’s duo Mellisa Akinyi and Belinda Akoth scored 12 apiece.

Following yesterday’s win, Equity needs just one victory in the two left matches to retain the gong. The Bankers had won Game One 63-59 while KPA prevailed in Game Two with a 56-50 win and will need to be at their impeccable best to win the two matches left to have a chance of reclaiming the title they last won in 2017.

The two giants will face off again in Game Four and Five in Nairobi on Thursday and Friday respectively to establish who will be crowned the 2019 champions but if Equity win on Thursday they will be crowned champions.

Despite the victory, Equity head coach David Maina claimed his team didn’t play as expected.

“We played badly in the first half and made some adjustments on the defence in the second half which made us bounce back and made sure we were scoring especially under the rim. We need to maintain and avoid lapses in Game Four to seal the series,” Maina said.

KPA’s head coach Mike Opel was a disappointed man after the match. “I am disappointed and angry; my players didn’t play well as they couldn’t protect a lead. We hope to play better in game four and win and take the series to game five.”

KPA captain Brenda Angeshi said they were undone by the turnovers and will need to take care of the ball more in remaining games.