KIBAHA (Tanzania) - As expected, the favorites dominated the matchups, with all but the Kenyan derby ending in blowouts of over 100 points for the winners.
Here's how the day's action unfolded:
REG annihilate Vijana to qualify for Semis
Kayana Traylor was unstoppable for the Rwandan team, scoring 30 points (including 7-for-14 from deep) in just 29.31 minutes. She also had six assists and five steals as Rwanda Energy Group (REG) overpowered Vijana BC 108-42, continuing their undefeated streak in the qualifiers.
Traylor led the scoring, and Kadidia Maiga anchored the team on both ends of the floor. Maiga finished with a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds and contributed seven steals, finishing with a team-high 38 efficiency rating.
Three other players scored in the double digits: Kristina King with 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, five steals, and three blocks; Delicia Washington had a double-double with 17 points and 11 assists, and Destiney Philoxy scored 15 points.
REG dominated on all fronts. They had 29 steals, compared to Vijana's six. They also capitalized on Vijana's 40 turnovers, scoring 49 points. This clearly shows who was in command of the game.
Diop, Lhavanguane power APR over Dynamo
In yet another lopsided encounter, the two-time WBLA bronze medalists APR defeated Burundi's Dynamo 110-52, moving closer to defending their Zone 5 title.
Yacine Diop led the scoring with 26 points. In the game, the Julian Martinez-coached team had five players score in the double digits. Diop added four rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks in just 25 minutes.
Eleuteria Lhavanguane also had a standout performance, adding 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a game-high six steals.
Meanwhile, Jessica Jackson added 13 points and eight rebounds; Olivette Tumukunde also scored 13 points; and Violette Uwimpuhwe scored 12.
Rosine Micomyiza's contribution could not go unnoticed; she came off the bench to hit three consecutive three-pointers in less than two minutes early in the fourth quarter.
APR's speed in transition was evident as they outscored the Burundians 44-12 on fast breaks and dominated the paint 58-38.
APR scored 34 points off Dynamo's 33 turnovers while holding their opponents to 16 points off their 23 turnovers.
KPA dominate all-Kenyan show to advance
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) overcame a slow start in the opening quarter against their familiar rivals, the Equity Hawks, to secure a convincing 79-58 victory. This win puts KPA in the last four of the tournament in Kibaha.
KPA played catch-up in the opening five minutes and took a timeout with 4:13 to go. This changed the trajectory of the game. Christine Akinyi's three-pointer sparked a 21-7 surge as the team took a 25-16 lead in the first quarter.
In just over 25 minutes, Victoria Reynolds made her presence felt for the 2023 African silver medalists. She scored a game-high 24 points and had five rebounds. Alima Doumbia was second on the scoring chart with 14 points. Tonie Morgan came two assists shy of a double-double, scoring 11 points.
KPA dominated the paint, 52–36; second chance points, 19–7; fast break contributions, 22–14; and turnovers, 26–17.
Fox Divas first Tanzanian side through to the Last Four
Last year's Zone 5 semifinalists, Les Hippos, were no match for the Fox Divas, who delivered a 106-69 blowout win to move closer to the podium and possible qualification.
Julius Ngisaise was unstoppable, leading the team in scoring with 32 points in just over 33 minutes. Gift Kaonga anchored the team on both ends of the floor, finishing with a double-double of 11 points and 17 rebounds, as well as five assists and five steals in 29:37 minutes.
Hope Akello contributed 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Brenda Ekone added 21 points. Judith Edward Pantaleo came off the bench to score 10 points in just 8:20 minutes.
The Fox Divas dominated from the beginning, never allowing Les Hippos to lead. They opened the match with a 37-13 quarter, leaving little chance for a Burundian comeback.
Each team's win-loss record ahed of the semis
APR (4-0) REG (4-0) KPA (3-1) Fox Divas (2-2)
FIBA