WINDHOEK (Namibia) - Bravehearts survived a spirited second-half fightback from host club UNAM Phoenix to become the second club from Zone to qualify for the FIBA WBLA tournament in Cairo, Egypt, in December.
Bravehearts, who will make their debut at the tournament, held on to win the thrilling encounter 58-55.
TURNING POINT: Bravehearts took the lead in the second quarter.
Leading 18-14 from the first quarter, the Malawian club went on an 8-0 run, with baskets from Maryshallet Shibwechwe and Priscilla Chella, as well as a fast-break two points from Tadiwa Mabika.
Bravehearts were 26-14 up, and they would add 12 more points to finish the first half 36-24.
Having built a 16-point lead (40–24), UNAM slowly clawed their way back with 4 minutes and 56 seconds remaining in the quarter.
A basket from Ruana Hamunyela, five points from Ashley Linda and a three-pointer and a basket from Iimene Iimene made it a seven-point game (45–38) going into the fourth quarter.
The Bravehearts managed to build a seven-point lead with five minutes remaining. However, UNAM responded with a 6-0 run, with baskets from Diandra Fossi, Fiina Namwaapo and Jennifer Uchezuba, to reduce the deficit to just one point (56-55).
A fast-break lay-up from Priscilla Chella with seconds remaining gave Bravehearts the three-point win.
HERO: Zimbabwean Mabika was the standout performer for the Bravehearts, scoring 15 points from 10 field-goal attempts and grabbing 13 rebounds — 11 of which were defensive — to power the Malawian side to victory.
Maryshallet Shibweche also made her presence felt, grabbing 13 rebounds for the Bravehearts, while Amanda Kuwale scored 11 points.
STATS DON'T LIE: The Bravehearts made their second-chance points count, scoring 18. They also managed 36 points in the paint.
BOTTOM LINE: Bravehearts will count their lucky stars, as UNAM gave them a run for their money. The Malawian club looked tired in the end, but UNAM's inability to convert their buckets at crucial moments was a saving grace for Bravehearts.
FIBA