YAOUNDE (Cameroon) – The FIBA Africa Women’s Africa Basketball League (AWBL) Qualifiers for Zone 4 ended on Sunday with Overdose Up Station and the Universite Douala getting the tickets available for the Final Round.

This followed the final standing of the Qualifiers which saw all three teams finish with 3 points apiece but the perennial Cameroon champions Overdose Up Station finished tops with 151 points scored and a +14 goal-difference despite losing against CNSS 79-71 in the last game.

They are joined by the Universite of Douala courtesy of their second-place position on the three-team standing with a point-differential of +6 while CNSS came in last on the table with a goal-difference of -20. 

However, Overdose Up Station in a repeat of last year’s qualifiers could not find their form against a revamped CNSS side that showed class and a determination to record a win.

CNSS had come into the Paposy Arena for the game and had a prayer session which was incidentally granted. They were the victors on the day.

The DR Congo champions outscored Overdose 26-9 in the first quarter to open a comfortable lead with Debarah Tshiyoyo dropping treys at will from the wings and held on in the second quarter 18-14 going into the halftime break for a score of 40-27.

Francine Tshimanga with 8 points in the first half combined with Gracia Nguz 8 points to keep Overdose at bay. Though the trio of Maria Ongmabock, Sadrine Ayangma and Meriam Mabou made efforts to bring the Cameroon champions back, it was tough.

Half-time talk from Coach Acha Dassi was all it took for the Overdose girls to come back and fight harder in the third quarter. CNSS fought back, but an improved defense play by Overdose made it difficult as they battled on for who gets the advantage.

A confident Overdose fought back as if their lives depended on it having in mind that they had defeated the visitors by a point last year but it was CNSS that had the last laugh of the day winning 28-25.

Coach of CNSS Koko Ade noted they came prepared for the encounter. "We're in the same hotel but we did not allow the fact that they beat us last year and we are going to just wait for them to do so again. This year is different and this win is important to us.

Evodie Londa scored 23 points and 8 rebounds, while Tania Longomo scored 8 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and Gracia Nguz contributed 15 points all for CNSS.

Overdose forward, Marie Ongmabock dropped 19 points, 7 rebounds while giving 3 assists. Sandrin Ayangma pulled 12 points for her team.

Dorcas Kabi who scored 4 points said the win over the Cameroon champions is gladdening. We are happy with this win because we’re not going home empty-handed. We lost to them last year but this year we’re winners.

For Overdose Up Station, Sandrine Ayangma admitted that they had concerns over their transition which slowed them down. “We tried to play defensively but our transition was poor.”
Team coach Acha Dassi said his team’s biggest problem was that of height. “Our rebounds were poor and that gave an advantage to our opponent and left us to struggle.”

FIBA