False start for Kenya in FIBA 3x3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 03.05.24. | 16:48
The African champions will have a chance to redeem themselves when they play Australia and Netherlands on Saturday
Kenya women’s 3x3 team began their quest for a Paris 2024 Olympics slot on the wrong footing after they suffered a 19-12 defeat to favorites Canada in their opening game of the FIBA 3X3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2 in Utsunomiya, Japan.
The defeat, which was followed by an overtime win for Netherlands over Australia - also in Pool B - means that the African champions are currently bottom of the standings with 12 points and with two games to play.
We fall to Canada 19-12 in the opening match of the Olympic Games qualifiers in Japan. The ladies play Australia in the second match tomorrow at 12:30pm Kenyan time.#HesabikaNaMabingwa #TeamKenya pic.twitter.com/YrtmpuJT92
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) May 3, 2024
Kenya, who led twice in this contest through Madina Okot and Victoria Reynolds buckets at 1-0 and 5-4, were left to rue their missed chances as they shot an awful 1 for 8 from the two-point line, and also turned the ball over 10 times to be left chasing with over half of the game left.
Instead, it was Paige Crozon who shone alongside the Plouffe sisters - Katherine and Mitchelle - as she scored a game-high 10 points to seal the win that puts them on top of the pool with 19 points.
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Kenya’s top scorers were Okot and Reynolds who cashed in five points each, with Mercy Wanyama scoring two.
The next assignment for the side will come on Saturday 4 May when Kenya plays against Australia at 3pm local time (9 am EAT), and Netherlands at 6:30 pm local time (12:30 pm EAT).
Kenya’s best chances for the one slot making the cut for the Summer Games will be best placed in the event of two wins on Saturday.
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