- KPA edged out star studded REG in the semis
- They will play Alexandria Sporting in a repeat of the group stages match
- This is the inaugural edition of the AWBL
Kenyan champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have made the final of the inaugural edition of the Africa Women’s Basketball League after a hard earned 101-97 victory over Rwanda Energy Group (REG) in the semis in Alexandria.
The Rwandese side, powered by three players from the American WWomen’s NBA had threatened to pull a comeback in the last quarter, but some fine shooting from Victyoria Reynolds from outside the arch saw the Kenyan side wade off the last minute challenge.
They will now take on host side Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC) who beat them when they faced off in the group phase.
“We had a game plan that I am happy my players stuck to and executed on well, making adjustments where necessary and in the end we emerged victorious. The advantage we carried into the second half helped us remain focused even when they went on runs, coming as close as within two minutes,” an elated coach Anthony Ojukwu said after the match.
He added; “We knew it was going to be tough but we held on till the last minute, and our resilience really pulled us through.”
Philoxy stars for REG
KPA’s Rita Aluoch in action against REG’s Destiny Philoxy
American Destiny Philoxy, one of the three WNBA players in the REG fold led the way with a massive 41 points, but it wasn’t enough. She played the entire 40 minutes of the match. LA Sparks’ Nia Clouden had 17 points while compatriot Tiffany Mitchell had 26 in the victory.
KPA skipper Natalie Akinyi led the way with a near triple double, having amassed 26 points, nine rebounds and 13 assists, a monstrous performance that led the dockers to victory. She also scored a game high eight three-pointers.
Rita Aluoch also had her brilliant contribution with a double double of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Victoria Reynolds also recorded a double digit score with 26 points and five assists.
Madina Okot who played a lower amount of minutes had 12 while Hilda Indasi had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Kenyan champions raced to a 8-2 lead but REG responded with a six-point run that brought them to within a point at 9-8 and again at 10-11. KPA went on another run to lead 18-12, with Natalie pulling up for a three with 4.20 minutes to go.
The Rwandan side went on a 10-point scoring spree to take the lead at 22-18 but the dockers had Natalie and Reynolds score three treys to restore their lead for 29-24 in the first quarter action.
REG keep pushing in second quarter
REG’s Tiffany Mitchell in action against KPA’s Victoria Reynolds. PHOTO/NBA
Philoxy got action in the second quarter going from the free-throw line and added a layup and 1 to tie the game at 29 in the opening minute of the second period.
Indasi then scored five for a 34-29 as Aminata Samassekou went for a step back trey to give the dockers a 38-33 lead four minutes into the second period.
Feza Isomi, Philoxy and Chantal Kiyobe made contributions on the paint to reclaim the lead for the Rwandase silver medalists at 39-38. Ojukwu called for a timeout, his charges responded with five off the break to lead 43-39 as they held on for a 54-47 lead to the halftime break.
Reynolds and Aluoch made it an 11-point game at 58-47 but Philoxy, who had so far been REG’s best player on the court, pulled up for a jump shot moments later for 58-49.
The 10-point difference remained at 61-51 off a Nia Clouden layup as REG scored 13 in the opening five minutes of the third to trail 71-60. A determined REG went on another run to come to within six pints of the Kenyan champions at 79-73 with 1:23 to play but the Kenyans held on for 83-74 at the end of the period.
Dramatic final period
KPA’s Hilda Indasi in action against REG. KPA players celebrate after their win over REG. PHOTO.NBA
REG kept the fight going in a dramatic final period that had REG trailing by just five at 89-84 with 5 minutes on the clock and further down to three at 95-92 with 3 minutes of play remaining.
Okot, scored to take it back to 97-92, Kalanga responding immediately with a layup for the advantage to remain. Philoxy made it a two-point game at 99-97 with a trey that brought her side the closest they had been since the first quarter see-saw.
REG picked two costly technical fouls that took Indasi and Reynolds to the line, each missing once but it was enough to take them through to the final.
-Additional info from FIBA Website
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