Douala outclass CNSS in Zone IV derby to better quarters chances
Beyond the zonal bragging rights, this is a match that could easily decide who makes the top four list for the knock-out stage from Group A and both sides were well aware.
ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) - When the two sides met in the Zone Four qualifiers in Yaounde, last month, Université de Douala picked an easy 83-55 win over CNSS of DR Congo.
Their clash at the Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL) on day three of the 10-team competition was, however, a different ball game and lived up to expectations with each side bringing their A-game.
Beyond the zonal bragging rights, this is a match that could easily decide who makes the top four list for the knock-out stage from Group A and both sides were well aware.
Universite de Douala picked their first win after two straight losses
In the end, the Yvan Cyril Manang-coached varsity side picked a hard-fought 68-65 victory in a match that could have gone either way.
"We have played CNSS in the last two years in the Women's Cup and AWBL qualifiers so we knew what to expect from them. They are a tough team and the only way to beat them was to put them under pressure so they don't have open shots or east ball movement. It took a bit of time but when my players got the rhythm we were able to compete for a win," coach Manang offered after the match.
The Congolese side led the opening quarters 19-18 and 20-19 to carry a two-point advantage to the second half with Evodie Londa and Gracia Nguz leading the scoring with 13 and 11 respectively. UDLA's charge was led by Kesia Yagou with 8.
CNSS who had cracked the varsity side's code on defense and were punishing them with quick transitions on the counter led by two for the better part of the third quarter.
Coach Koko Ade's charges, however, had a lapse in concentration and were punished for it in the last 25 seconds of the period as Michèle Fotsing gave the scholars the lead from the free-throw line for 54-52 with Murielle Fraida making it 56-53 at the end of the quarter.
Grace Tolo cut the deficit to a single point with a turnaround jumper for 58-57 with Tania Longomo restoring the lead for CNSS off of two layups as the final stanza drama unfolded.
With 5.20 minutes to play, Longomo lost the opportunity to take her side 3 points ahead, missing twice from the line, turning the ball over twice and picking a foul that took Myriam Guiolobo to the line to restore the varsity side's lead at 62-61.
Cynthia Williams beat the defense for a layup that extended UDLA's lead to three at 64-61 and moments later was on the line making it 66-61 even as the CNSS technical bench continued to vehemently disagree with the two calls for fouls that led to the back-to-back free-throws.
CNSS had the chance to tie the game at 68 with less than 30 seconds on the clock but a costly turnover gave UDLA possession as they held on for victory.
"My players fought to the end and I am proud of them. With due respect to UDLA, we deserved this win. In the last 5 minutes of the game, the match officials made questionable calls against my side and that changed the momentum of the game," coach Ade claimed.
FIBA