NAIROBI (Kenya) - Rwanda's APR secured a maiden Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone 5 title, defeating rivals Rwanda Energy Group (REG) in an entertaining final.
The competition saw its first overtime decision in the third-place play-off, with hosts Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) securing their place in the continental tournament by beating Burundi's Les Hippos.
Here's how the day's events unfolded:
APR crowned Zone champions
APR, are the Zone Five WBLA qualifiers champions, the Rwandese military side having played for an 82-68 victory over their national champions REG. The side will be making back-to-back appearances after last year's debut in the continental competition, via a wild card, hoping to improve on their third-place finish in Dakar last December. Head coach Charles Mushumba says playing six consecutive matches was not easy but was thankful to his players for remaining calm and fighting to crown their qualification with the title, "Our recruitment was very good and that has been proven on the court. We played our part and I believe this was our time to be champions, everything clicked. In this match, we carried the same philosophy, scoring more and managing our time well. Defense alone cannot win matches, we had to be efficient upfront so we could have something to defend. I am happy we are heading to the WBLA as Zone Five champions," APR head coach Mushumba said.
The reigning WBLA bronze medalists dominated the opening quarter 22-12 following a 9-0 run early in the match that left the Rwandese champions chasing. Faustine Mwizerwa's three-point got the second quarter comeback attempt going for REG, Kristina King bringing the side to within a basket, from range, at 28-26 with just over three minutes to halftime. Sensing danger, APR mounted yet another run, going 12-2 in just two minutes to give themselves a 12-point cushion, Destiney Philoxy leading the halftime scores with 12. The third quarter was basketball poetry in motion as APR fought to maintain their advantage, while the Rwandese champions responded with perfect timing on attacks to make it 49-46 halfway through the stanza. Kamba Yoro Diakité shot from behind the arc, pulling APR away for 55-50. Kayana Traylor, and Rosine Micomyiza scored to make it a one-point game at 55-54, Gloriose Byukusenge bringing the Pape Malick Goudiaby-coached side level at 57, as Philoxy closed the quarter from the free-throw line for 59-57.
The final quarter was no different as APR tried to pull away, going 64-57 ahead in the opening minute but REG refused to go, coming close again at 66-64. However, REG send APR to the charity stripe three times for five conversions, leading to a seven-point lead that ended up costing REG the match, APR running the show for a 23-11 final quarter. "The trophy feels like a bonus. After qualifying yesterday, which was our initial target, there was nothing stopping us from going for the championship and that's what we did. REG played well, they had their moments but we knew this was our game, we stayed in the lead and worked as a team for this victory," APR's Yacine Diop told FIBA.basketball.
KPA book final WBLA slot from Nairobi
Hosts Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) are back in the Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) set for next month in Cairo, having finished third in the nine-team Zone Five Qualifiers. The Antony Ojukwu-led side won the third-place match 89-81 in overtime(OT), after a 75-all draw in regulation time, having given up a 21-point advantage in the opening half, to be forced into OT. KPA opened action with a 12-1 show in the first five minutes, going on to dominate the period 22-6. Les Hippos fought back in the second quarter, trying the period on 22 points to carry their first stanza deficit of 16 to the second half. They kept their momentum going with an 18-15 third quarter, reviving comeback hopes.
Brittany Nichole Autry scored five, Elsa Niyonkuru adding a basket to cut KPA's lead to single digit (61-53) two minutes into the final stanza. Three minutes in, Hippos had made it 65-60, with contributions from Diedhiou Laurence Sabine, who dropped five, and Gisele Makenga. Two costly fouls for Ojukwu's side brought the Burundians within a point at 65-64, setting the stage for a dramatic end to the period, both sides missing numerous chances to bury the win. In OT, however, KPA who had two of their best players Betty Kananu and Mercy Wanyama out in fouls, dig deep to dominate 14-6 for victory. "We are lucky to have gotten the chance to redeem ourselves in overtime. We have won but it is a worrying trend how we have lost leads in the last three matches. We know there's work to do tactically, but the biggest challenge will be working on our players' mental toughness. I can say the injuries played their part in the way we have played those matches, but adjustments have to be made," KPA's assistant coach Dorcas Anyango said after the victory.
Her sentiments were echoed by Natalie Mwangale, whose experience came in handy both in the final quarter when Hippos threatened and in OT. "The pain of losing the semis yesterday and missing the final tour last year gave us the motivation to go for victory. In the final quarter experience helped us. We had a unit that has played together for longer when Betty and Mercy worryingly fouled out, but that played in our favour. As we prepare for the WBLA, we have to take an all-round approach and work on our offense and defense," KPA guard Mwangale told FIBA.basketball.
Fox Divas finish fifth in thrilling contest against Zetech
The battle for fifth place between the two group third place finishers ended in a 67-56 victory for Tanzania's Fox Divas, silencing host side Zetech Sparks. Merycyana Mashauri was unstoppable for the Kenyan varsity side, contributing a double-double on 21 points and 14 rebounds. Two more players Yvonne Muhawenimana and Evelyne Nakiyingi scored 16 and 15 respectively for the win. The match played out for a 18-18 opening quarter, Evelyne Atieli leveling the score with a three-point play. The Tanzanian outplayed Zetech 16-11 in the second quarter to carry a five-point advantage to the second half. They protected their lead with a 17-13 third quarter, finishing the job in a closely contested 16-14 final stanza for victory.
FIBA