CAIRO (Egypt) - Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) defending champions Ferroviario de Maputo defeated Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 91-76 on Tuesday to close the Group Phase with a perfect 3- mark. The Nasir Sale-led side closed out the game in the final five minutes, having lost a 12-point advantage at halftime to trail 65-62 heading to the final stanza, fighting to gain control at 73-69 off Ingvild Mucauro's fast break layup with 4:53 to play. In a game Ferroviario de Maputo had six players scoring in double digits, 2019 Most Valuable Player Mucauro led the charge on both ends of the court, dropping 17 points off a 6-for-13 shooting on the field.
She included a single trey, while converting 4 of ten attempts from the free throw line. She came a rebound shy of a double-double, adding 2 assists and as many steals in the victory. Her efforts were complimented by four-time champion Odélia Mafanela who scored 14, adding 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists in the crucial victory that takes the side to a 9-0 run since last year's championship in Dakar, Senegal. American guard Makira Cook, who finished with 12 12 points and 3 assists, said: "KPA have a good team but we knew that coming in so we had to be ready. They have a few weapons but we had our own and we only had to be strong and expect a great battle, in the end it was just a good game and we are happy for the win." She continued, "The conversation in the last five minutes was on getting stops and forcing turnover. In moments like that, when the game is a battle it is important to keep composure and stick to the game plan, which is what we did. Going 3-0 is good for the team, and we will just keep getting better and better."
FIBA