Second win for KPA, REG as AWBL qualifiers continue 

 

KIGALI (Rwanda) - The race for Africa Women Basketball League (AWBL) slots continued on Monday 30 October at the LDK gymnasium in Kigali, Rwanda with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Rwanda Energy Group (REG) registering wins. 

Former champions, KPA, were taking on Tanzania's Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (JKT) in their second match of the 9-team FIBA Zone Five Women's competition, having seen off JKL Lady Dolphins of Uganda in their opener on Sunday. 

The Antony Ojukwu-led Kenyan champions lived up to their billing, defeating JKT 105-43 for their second win of the competition while subjecting the Tanzanian side to their third loss in as many matches.

From the get-go, it was clear the clash would be a mismatch as KPA raced to a 32-10 first-quarter outcome, Victoria Reynolds leading the scoring charts with 11 points after just 7.30 minutes on the floor. 

A 21-14 second-quarter performance by the Dockers gave them a 29-point advantage going into the halftime break with Aminata Samassekou joining Reynolds in the double-digits club with 10 points in the two quarters. 

The second half was no different as KPA ran the scores for 25-10 and 27-09 score lines to take the 62-point victory that gave them a huge advantage as far as group stage competition goes. 

Samassekou who played just 19.31 minutes had a huge impact on KPA's massive victory dropping 19 points, 8 assists and 8 steals while Madina Okot bagged a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds to emerge as the side's second-best scorer.

Reynolds who was sparingly used after her first-quarter performance took her points tally to 15 with 4 assists and 2 steals to boot. Hilda Indasi added 10 points for KPA. 

As expected, all the statistics favoured the Kenyan side with Ojukwu's charges boasting a 54-9 points advantage from turnovers, 29-06 second-chance points and 56-06, 55-11 off fast breaks and bench points respectively. 

The second match of the day pitted hosts REG against a stubborn Nile Legends, the former playing out for a convincing 95-73 victory against the South Sudan side. 

REG, who had blanked JKT in their opener on Saturday picked up from where they left playing for four quarters of 27-15, 26-20, 27-21 and 15-17 to maintain their unbeaten run in group B.

Betty Kalanga exploded for a game and team-high 27 points, adding 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in the victory. Mreille Muganza Nyota contributed a double-double, dropping 17 points and 14 rebounds as Chelsea Jennings bagged 17 points as well with 5 assists and 4 rebounds to her name. 

Nile Legends' charge for a second victory was led by the indefatigable Ajah Akuak who dropped a double-double of her own with 17 points and 10 rebounds, albeit not enough to hand her side victory. 

Rhoda Ruth Nagitta, Brenda Kayaga and Anyier Deng all of whom were in the string lineup for coach William Deng Nyang managed double digits as well with 17, 15 and 12 points respectively in the loss. 

Action continues with Nile Legends who have one win, against JKT, in the bag taking a rest on Tuesday as four matches are played. 

Uganda's JKL Lady Dolphins open the floor in their third match of group B when they take in winless JKT from noon, local time.  

Gladiators, who lost their opening match to APR of Rwanda play Kenya's Equity Bank as the latter chase a second win in as many matches. The clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. local time. 

Next up will be REG taking on Kenyan champions KPA, both sides having won twice and keen not to drop any points. The final match of the busy day will see Tanzanian champions Vijana Queens play APR of Rwanda. 

October 31 fixtures:  

Noon - J.K.L (UGA) vs J.K.T (TAN) 
3.00 p.m- Gladiators (BDI) vs Equity Bank (KEN) 6.00 p.m -REG BB (RWA) vs K.P.A (KEN)
9.00 p.m- VIJANA QUEENS (TAN) vs A.P.R (RWA

FIBA