Equity Bank Hawks fell 51-49 to Egyptian side Alexandria Sporting in FIBA Africa Zone Five show played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
The bankers led 12-10 in a closely fought first quarter that saw no team build any authority. In the second quarter, Alexandria recovered to take a 15-9 edge. But a charged Equity Bank kept clawing back.
Melissa Akinyi's three-pointer saw them move up 40-35 before Annrose Mandela's reverse lay ended the third quarter 44-38.
A fierce battle ensued in the deciding quarter with Equity leading 48-49 with 1:10 to play. Sporting locked it 49-49 and won it from the line.
"We had a good shot and it slipped because we didn't take care of the ball when it mattered. But it was a good effort," bankers tactician Sylvia Kamau said.
Akinyi scored the bankers' 12 points charge and was the only player who posted double figures.
The Egyptians were led by Amer who hit 23. Today's fixtures- APR v Wolkite, Alexandria Sporting v Nile Legends South Sudan) and REG (Rwanda) v Young Sisters (Burundi).
