Equity Bank Hawks started their Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL) on a losing note, falling 80-55 to Interclube of Angola in Alexandria, Egypt.
It was Inter who made the game-opening shot but Melissa Akinyi's trey from the wing gave the bankers a brief 3-2 lead. Inter then wheeled away to a 17-7 edge and 27-19 at the end of the first stanza.
The Angolans went on a full-court press as soon as the second quarter got underway as they swarmed the Hawks in a move that paid dividends. They forced the bankers into turnovers, taking a 49-30 halftime lead.
Hawks tactician Ben Oluoch said, “We just needed to protect the ball. They scored 33 points off our turnovers. We must be patient with the ball. I have a young team that needs experience and we are learning.”
Grace Irebu led the Kenyans with 10 points while Akinyi and her backcourt mate Debra Obunga combined for another 16 of the team's points.
Egyptian side Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC), playing at home remain the favourites in a 10-team competition that also includes former titlist Interclube of Angola.
In another Group A game, Rwanda Energy Group deflated Overdose Up Station of Cameroon 86-45 in another game while the University of Duala of Cameroon lost 57- 46 to Customs of Nigeria.
Reigning champions Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC) of Egypt who were to play CNSS of DR Congo, Zone Five champions Kenya Ports Authority and ASPAC of Benin had rest days.
Group A: Sporting (Egypt), CNSS (DR Congo), Customs (Nigeria), KPA (Kenya), Doula University (Cameroon); Group B, Interclube (Angola), Equity (Kenya), Overdose (Cameroon), ASPAC (Benin), Rwanda Energy Group (Rwanda)
