MAPUTO (Mozambique) - Reigning champions Ferroviario de Maputo went 2-0 in Group B of the FIBA Africa Women's Champions Cup after beating ASC Ville de Dakar 62-53 at the Pavilhao de Universidade Eduardo Mondlane on Monday.

Odelia Mafanela paved the way for the two-time African champions with a  double-double (10 points and 12 rebounds), while Stefania Chiziane and Anabel Cossa scored 13 and 11 points.

Center Fatoumata Traore scored 14 points and was helped in scoring by Ndoumbe Mboj (13) and Couna Ndao (10) in the losing cause.

The clash almost showed signs of being a tight affair, and with five minutes elapsed in the first quarter, the Mozambican club were ahead by a point (8-7).

Chelsey Shumpert increased Ferroviario's lead at the free-throw line (10-7) and scored again by driving in and laying up against the glass (12-8). The Maputo-based club scored five to the four ASC to close out the opening quarter in front 17-12.

Ferroviario started the second quarter with a 6-0 run, with Mafanela, Chiziane and Caitlin Jenkins scoring easy two-pointers in the opposition's paint for a 23-12 scoreline.

ASC could  not withstand the pressure being applied in the half by Ferroviario in defence, which forced them to turn the ball over 17 times in the first half. The home side put 20 points on the board while holding the visiting club to 11.

Shumpert again got Ferroviario going in the third quarter with buckets from the free-throw line and stole the ball at the centre circle to score an easy two, but ASC responded with two buckets of their own from Mbodj to make the score 47-27. The home side still had the commanding lead.

That lead, however, would cut to 12 by the end of the third quarter as ASC went on an 11 -0 run. Traore scored four, Fatoumata Django scored three, Ndeye Mbaye scored three, and Ndao scored two to end the quarter 54-42.

In the fourth quarter, Ferroviario would hold on for the nine-point win after braving the ASC attempt at a comeback.

"Basketball games are full of runs, but you respond to the situation that matter. The player on the court and those that came off the bench made the difference. I am proud of the team," said Ferroviario point guard Chelsey Shumpert. "The job is not done yet and we have to keep working."

KPA's CLINCH FIRST WIN

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) got their first win of the tournament with a blow-out victory over Group A opponents Energie BBC.

The East Africans triumphed 83-45 in a game that saw 18-year-old Madina Okot score 19 points and crash nine boards.

KPA guard Ifunaya Okoro also stepped up with 16 points, eight points and four assists, while floor general Natalie Mwangale scored 11 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Mwangale told FIBA.basketball that the win over the club from Benin helped their confidence and would count towards their seeding in the Quarter-Finals.

"We feel good and needed to win to reach the Quarter-Finals. Our group has five teams, and only four progress to the knockout stages. So we have the win, and it is also important where we finish in the group ahead of the Quarter-Finals," said Mwangale.

INTERCLUBE EXTEND WINNING STREAK TO 4-0

Interclube's experience showed itself for the second game in the tournament. Like the game against Costa do Sol last Saturday, the Angolans saw themselves have come from behind to beat CNSS of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In their fourth game in as many days, Interclube, who won the match 79-68 and top Group A with a 4-0 record, saw CNSS hang with them for the first three quarters and a small part of the fourth in the game.

CNSS led at the end of the first quarter 24-20, tied the second 37-37 and were on top by a single point (57-56) at the conclusion third, but saw the wheels come off in the second minute of the fourth. Free-throws from Alexis Tolefree gave Inter a 58-56 lead, their second of the game since their 8-0 start in the first quarter.

The Angolans showed dominance by adding 21 points to the 12 of the Congolese club.

Shooting guard Italee Lucas scored a game-high 28 points, while Tolefree put in a good shift with 16 points.

Marlene Ngobeleza and Deborah Mayimona scored 23 and 14 points for CNSS.

FIBA