KIBAHA (Tanzania) - The duo are favourites to reach the semi-finals, as they will face Burundi's Dynamo and the home side, Vijana BC, respectively, in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, KPA have set up an all-Kenyan clash against Equity Hawks, and Les Hippos will play another Tanzanian side, Fox Divas.
Here's how day 4 action unfolded:
REG dismantle Dynamo to go unbeaten
The Rwanda Energy Group (REG) continued their spectacular performance by annihilating the winless Burundian team, Dynamo, with a score of 103–55. They became the second team in the tournament after APR to reach 100 points.
It was clear from the get go that the Burundians had nothing on their Rwandese opponent as they were subdued 27-10 in the opening period.
Dynamo attempted to stabilise their game in the second quarter but were still held 26-17, carrying a massive 26-point deficit to the second half. A 34-8 third quarter all but sealed the deal for REG, allowing them to take things easy in the final period for 20-16.
Destiney Philoxy led the scoring for the Rwandese side with 22 but it was Kristina King who ran riots on both ends of the court, finishing with a 20 points and 12 rebounds double-double.
Kadidia Maiga added her own with 17 points and 14 rebounds, with King coming three steals shy of a triple-double. Kayana Traylor (16) and Delicia Washington (14) were the other players to score in double digits.
KPA subdue Fox to go 2-1
In the second match of the day, 2023 African silver medalists Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) silenced home side Fox Divas 90-60 for their second win of Group A.
A strong start made all the difference for the Kenyan side, a 24-point advantage cushioning them against Fox's second half surge, in a match coach Samuel Ocholla managed to use his entire bench with all but two players contributing points to the final tally.
For the second game in a row, Ivorian guard, Alima Doumbia emerged as KPA's top scorer, dropping 16 points in just over 21 minutes on the floor.
Babra Achieng contributed 13 points and 8 rebounds as three more players Aminata Samassekou (11), Christine Akinyi (11) and Victoria Reynolds (10) scored in double digits. Tonie Morgan dished 10 assists, coming two points shy of a rare double-double.
APR hand Hippos first defeat to top Group B
Yacine Diop and Jessica Jackson anchored two-time WBLA bronze medalists APR to yet another dominant 95-76 victory, this time over Les Hippos in a clash that was set to decide the group leader. APR remain unbeaten after three matches to top the group.
Diop dropped 27 points in just under 31 minutes, shooting 3-of-5 from behind the arc, while adding 7 rebounds and 9 assists to come within touching distance of a triple-double.
Jackson, meanwhile, completed a double-double on 22 points and 10 rebounds, dishing 5 assists. Eleuteria Lhavanguane (14) and Violette Uwimpuhwe (13) also scored in double digits.
Julian Martinez's side led for 39:13 and never trailed, subjecting the Burundians to their first defeat in Kibaha to settle for second place in the Group B standings ahead of the knockout stages.
Equity Hawks pick first win against Vijana BC
Returning to the Zone 5 qualifiers after missing out last year, at home, Equity Hawks endured a difficult start to the tournament but finally redeemed themselves with a 76-41 win over home side Vijana Basketball Club to go 1-2 in Group B.
Lavin Auma Owiti dominated play for the Kenyan side, sparking with double-double as she finished with 25 points and 17 rebounds, following a spectacular display in the paint and on the glass, with no attempts from deep, to keep Equity in control from early on.
Taudencia Oluoch came off the bench to massively impact the game with a double-double, dropping a massive 14 points, 8-of-10 from the free throw line, and 13 rebounds in just 11:49. Mercy Wanyama contributed 8 points, 11 rebounds while Mary Lisa Omondi added 11 points and 5 assists for the win.
FIBA