Equity Bank blanked The Hoops of Rwanda 53-51 in a Fiba Africa Zone Five Club Championships match played at the National Indoor Stadium, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Saturday evening.
The winners didn't have it too easy as the Rwandese, whipped 80-36 by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) refused to be cowed, giving as good as they got.
Equity got off to just the start they needed as Betty Kananu and Samba Mjomba buried the opening threes.
They took a 15-12 and 12-8 cushion in the opening two quarters before the tide changed in the third as The Hoops charged ahead 18-5.
A spirited fight in the decisive quarter by the Kenyan champions saw them lead 18-15 giving them an edge in a close finish .
Belinda Okoth posted 18 points while Kananu added 16 for the winners. Ineza Sifa led all scorers with 23 with her teammate, Marie Inezabayo, registering 10.
It was the second victory for the bankers, who rolled off their campaign with a 53-33 victory over Rwanda Energy Group (REG) on Friday as Kananu sunk 13 points.
Tanzania's Don Bosco made the home crowds happy when they nipped Gladiator of Burundi 58-52.
In Sunday's matches, Gladiators will take on Equity Bank, KPA meets REG and Don Bosco face The Hoops.
