KAMPALA (FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women 2017) - Kenyan champions Equity Hawks edged closer to booking a place at the FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women 2017 when they overcame UCU Lady Canons 74-66 on Friday to remain unbeaten at the FIBA Africa Zone 5 Qualifiers. 

David Maina's side led 19-18 at the end of the first quarter in a highly contested game as expected but the Ugandan champions kept them within distance and led 34-31 at the half time break. 

A hard fought third quarter from UCU saw them leading 52-51 but table turned in the fourth quarter when several turnovers were punished with baskets made on the other end of the court as the Hawks led 66-55 half way through the last quarter. 

The Lady Canons attempted to make a comeback but Equity were in charge and went on to make it five wins out of five matches. 

"Considering UCU beat KPA and KPA beat us back-to-back in the league back home, we were sure the game will definitely not be easy. We really had to come prepared for a big game." - Luvandwa

In an interview with FIBA.basketball, Equity Hawks captain Hilda Indasi Luvandwa said, "We trailed for the most part of the game. It was very important for us to win and now we have five straight wins with one more to go."

"Considering UCU beat KPA and KPA beat us back-to-back in the league back home, we were sure the game will definitely not be easy. We really had to come prepared for a big game."

Equity Hawks duo in the paint Susan Akinyi Adhiambo and Mercy Wanyama scored an impressive 25 and 20 points in that order to dominate the game in which their fellow country-mate Vilma Achieng netted 20 points for the UCU Lady Canons. 

In the other title decider, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) were unstoppable when they defeated KCCA Leopards of Uganda 82-58 to bring their number of wins to four at the tournament with a 4-1 win ratio. 

Betty Maithima Kananu dropped 14 of her 25 game high points in the first quarter and eventually picked 10 rebounds to register a double double that ensured the Mombasa side kept their title hopes alive. 

KCCA shooting guard Moreen Amoding contributed 15 points to her team's cause while Muhayimana Namuwaya and Joy Chemutai added 11 and 10 points apiece. 

Rwandan champions APR picked their second win at the tournament when they beat Horseed of Somalia 91-51 with Jamad Fiin Husseam top scoring with 29 points but her efforts were not enough to help her side to victory. 

Charlotte Umugwaneza sunk 21 points and picked 22 rebounds while Nicole Urwibutso added 19 points to improve their win ratio to 2-4. 

The unbeaten Equity Hawks, UCU Lady Canons and KPA will fight for the two available slots to the FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women 2017 set to be held in Angola from November 3-12. 

FIBA