L. MathekaSilver for KPA as Egypt's ASC lift Zone Five title
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 01.10.22. | 20:55
The finalists had already booked a slot to the African Championship slated for later in the year.
Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women's league champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have lost the Zone Five title to Egypt's Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC).
The Antony Ojukwu-coached dockers went to this year's FIBA Africa Zone Five women's club championship as defending champions after winning the 2021 event held at the same venue, Benjamin Mkapa Indoor Arena in Dar es Salaam.
ASC broke KPA's dominance in this year's event picking a 78-67 victory when it mattered to dethrone the Mombasa-based side and head to the African Championship as gold medalist.
"We gave a good account of ourselves. However, we could have done better. We gave them easy baskets, turned over the ball in crucial moments and they punished us. All in all, I will not say we lost but rather call it a learning process. We will prepare better for the continental event," offered Ojukwu.
The dockers got off to a good start, going 13-8 up in the first five minutes of the game but their five-point advantage was reduced to half a basket at the end of the period at 23-22.
The second quarter was closely fought but the Kenyans were still in the lead halfway through it at 32-28 but could not hold on to their advantage allowing the Egyptians to assume lead at 42-39 heading to the break.
From the locker rooms, ASC extended their advantage to five and further to nine at the end of the third quarter and Ojukwu's charges were in trouble.
End of a 3rd place match between #REG WBBC and #APR WBBC in #Zone5.
— REG Women BBC Official (@regwomenbbc) October 1, 2022
FT: REG 39-42 APR.#APR has won the bronze medal while #REG finishes on the 4th position.
Umukino w'umwanya wa 3 wahuzaga #REG na #APR urarangiye.:
FT: REG 39-42 APR.
APR itsindiye umudali wa Bronze.@ferwabaRW pic.twitter.com/kPCof8HzTX
KPA's attempts at a comeback in the final period bore no fruits as the nine-point difference gace them a cushion that allowed them to attack for more points as they went on to win the title.
"We have picked our lessons here and will regroup before the next competition," Ojukwu added.
Meanwhile, Rwanda Energy Group lost to compatriots APR in the third place playoff in a 42-39 outcome.
The other Kenyan representatives Equity Hawks managed a fifth place finish after seeing off Tanzania's Vijana Queens 62-36.
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