CAIRO (Egypt) - Al Ahly Sporting Club, the hosts of this year's Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) and the reigning silver medalist opened their campaign with a statement 91-62 victory against Cote d'Ivoire's Friend's Basketball Association (FBA).
With six players scoring in double digits, Raneem Elgedawy led the side offensively, coming off the bench to drop 17 points in just over 15 minutes with a 66.7 per cent conversion rate (8 of 12) inside.
The center came alive in the third quarter, scoring 11 points after an opening half of just six. Despite sitting out the final stanza, she still finished one point ahead of Hagar Amer, who completed a double-double with 10 rebounds in under 22 minutes. Elgedawy also contributed three steals and two rebounds.
Nadine Mohamed and Meral Abdelgawad scored 15 each, the latter having opened the game with a perfect quarter dropping back-to-back treys to lead the side in a 26-20 opening quarter. South Sudanese duo of Rose Macuei and Delicia Washington added 13 and 10 points respectively.
Elgedawy acknowledged that the side wasn't perfect but they kept their focus on coach Tarek Abouzied's game plan, and overcame the first game jitters to win them the game.
"It was a great game, but being our first game we had a lot of mistakes, especially in the opening half. We, however watch the game tomorrow and make adjustments and keep pushing with each match as we want to win this championship.
"In the opening quarter they cut the deficit to just two points but we just defended better, kept playing harder without worrying about the score, kept out focus and played together to the last whistle," she concluded.
FIBA