Nile Legends bounce back as Zone Five AWBL qualifiers enter second day

 

KIGALI (Rwanda) - Day two of the ongoing FIBA Zone Five's Africa Women Basketball League (AWBL) qualifiers witnessed eight of the nine teams in action at the LDK Gymnasium in Rwanda.

The group matches have so far not produced any major surprises as teams chase a place in the knock-out stages- and ultimately the final- with the last two teams standing set to represent the zone in the continental championship slated for December.

Nile Legends bounce back

Lam Williams Deng Nyang-coached Nile Legends fought for a 64-51 victory against Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (JKT) to bounce back from their opening-match 84-30 thumping by JKL Lady Dolphins of Uganda.

A closely contested first quarter saw the Tanzanian side go one point ahead in an 18-17 score line but the South Sudanese clawed back for 19-13 to take a five-point advantage to the halftime break.

A third-quarter show by Nile Legends, scoring 15 while restricting the opponent to just 2 points, was all that was needed to seal their first win as JKT's fourth quartet effort for an 18-13 lead was too little, too late to deny Nyang's charges the win.

Offensively, Nile's charge was led by Ajah Akuak as she scored 17 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Skipper Nivin Lokuku added 12 to the tally. Anyeir Deng and Brenda Kayaga made 11 points each in the win. Rhoda Ruth Nagitta dictated play defensively for a massive 19 rebounds, scoring four.

Equity make light work of Vijana Queens

Grace Malu scored 17 points as Equity Bank Hawks beat Tanzania champions Vijana Queens 98-66 to get their AWBL campaign off to a positive start.

The bankers had a comfortable start, going 15-08 ahead in the opening five minutes before taking the quarter 25-15. Oluoch’s charges maintained the advantage despite the Tanzanians taking the game to them for an 18-17 score line in the second stanza.

Starting the second half with an 11-point advantage, the Kenyan side were relentless, going 26-16 and 29-18 for the win. Five players, including Malu, managed double digits in points, skipper Melissa Otieno and Betty Kananu playing for 13 each as Mary Lisa Omondi and Valarie Kemunto added 11 and 10 respectively.

Vijana Queens' Tumaini Ndosi had a spectacular game, bagging the only double-double in the clash with 28 points and 13 rebounds but her efforts were not complimented by her teammates as none hit double digits.

Final quarter rally hands KPA first victory

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) outscored JKL Lady Dolphins of Uganda 25-18 in the fourth quarter of their encounter to win 82-72, subjecting the Ugandan side to their first defeat in two matches.

Victoria Reynolds contributed a game-high 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists, with Hilda Indasi adding a similar number of points in the win.

The close contest that witnessed nine lead changes with the two sides tied six times saw Madina Okot prove crucial in KPA's victory as she scored 16 while pulling down 19 rebounds. Teenage sensation, Mali's Aminata Samassekou scored 13 on her debut for the Dockers.

The Anthony Ojukwu-led Kenyan champions went 19-15, 16-18, 22-21 and 25-18. KPA feasted off turnovers, tipping the balance with a 22-10 points advantage, while seeing their bench outscore JKL’s 35-14. The Ugandan side was, however, better in fast breaks going 19-12 while also getting 10 second chance points, three more than the Kenyan side's. 

APR blank Gladiators for first win

Home side APR won 86-68 in their opening match against Gladiators as Tetero Odile, Jane Jackson and Janai Robertson called the shots with 21, 17and 17 points respectively, the latter adding 10 rebounds for a double-double.

The opening quarter was a see-saw but APR took a slim 22-20 at the conclusion of the first 10 minutes.

Charles Mbazumutima's charges played a better second quarter, going ahead 25-12 to extend their advantage to 15 points at the halftime break.

A 27-22 third-quarter score for the Burundians cut their deficit to ten but a 17-09 final stanza gave APR the convincing win.

Meanwhile, day three of action will see KPA chase a second win against JKT as Rwanda Energy Group (REG), who bagged an 89-38 victory against the Tanzanians, take in Nile Legends.

FIBA