LUANDA (FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women 2017) - Center Alicia DeVaughn sunk an impressive 22 points and picked eight rebounds to inspire Primeiro de Agosto to a 74-65 Group B win over Ferroviario de Maputo on Tuesday at the ongoing FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women 2017.  

The 27-year old 6ft4in(1.93m) center had a field day and was evidently in her zone on a night that decided the table leader in Group B. 

Ferroviario de Maputo led the first quarter 21-19 but solid defense from the home side in the second quarter saw them reflect that on the other side of the court consistently and indeed Primeiro de Agosto led 40-32 at Half-Time in a high scoring game. 

At that point DeVaughn had dropped 12 points and picked five rebounds but Inaki Garcia's side failed to match her aggressiveness in the paint and not even the matter that is forward Leia Dongue who scored 14 points and picked nine rebounds. 

"We knew that they are a very good team but we had to stay focused for the whole 40 minutes. " - DeVaughn

Primeiro de Agosto picked an incredible 42 rebounds with 31 on defense as compared to Ferroviario de Maputo's 23 overall, a statistic that Garcia conceded made a big difference. 

"You can see the statistics. They do not lie. For a competitive team that wants to win, that is a bit too much but we shall keep our heads up high and prepare for the next game," he said.

Speaking to FIBA.basketball, Alicia DeVaughn said, "We knew that they are a very good team but we had to stay focused for the whole 40 minutes. We did well in the paint to pick rebounds and that was the difference for us on defense." 

Elsewhere, First Bank came from behind to overcome GS Petroliers 54-43 and remain unbeaten in Group A. The Algerian side led 22-7 in the first quarter but good defense thereafter helped the Bankers to get back to their feet and win eventually. 

Meanwhile, both Kenyan teams Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Equity Bank Hawks registered their first wins at the tournament. 

KPA defeated DC Motema Pembe 70-51 while Equity Bank Hawks edged AS Vita 67-62 to keep their hopes alive of making the Quarter-Finals. 

FIBA