WBL-AQ: Selina stars as KPA beat relentless Equity Bank Hawks to the semis

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) survived the Equity Bank Hawks scare to pick up an 80-63 victory to reach the semis of the ongoing Women's Basketball League-Africa (WBL-Africa) Zone Five Qualifiers.

The two sides had qualified for the quarters off a 2-1 ratio, having lost to Rwandese sides APR and Rwanda Energy Group (REG) in their respective groups.

"It was a tough match between two good sides that respect each other and we are happy to win the encounter," KPA head coach Antony Ojukwu offered after the match.

Selina Okumu's 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals and as many assists for a game-high 25 in efficiency complimented Nigerian import Nkem Akariwe's double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds, handing the reigning African silver medalists a chance to fight for a place in the WBL-Africa set for December in Dakar, Senegal.

Tight match from the start

As expected, it was a highly physical and hard-fought encounter from the get-go with the opening half serving eight lead changes and six ties.

Nkem Akariwe scored six as KPA led 8-2 early on but Elizabeth Okumu, Vallary Kemunto and Rita Aluoch clawed the Bankers back to level the score as Betty Kananu took the lead from beyond the arc.

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Alima Doumbia tied the score at 13 for the Dockers from the free-throw line as the see-saw continued.

Rachael Odhiambo sunk a trey that started an 11-point run for the Bankers to see them lead 27-18 at the end of the first quarter.

The Dockers went hard as the second period began, Grace Malu scoring six quick points to bring Ojukwu's charges to within four at 27-24. Melissa Otieno was, however, left unmarked, with enough time to line her three perfectly for 30-24.

With 3.42 to play in the second stanza, Linda Alando hit a trey that made it a one-point game at 32-31 with Doumbia handing the lead back to the defending champions at 33-32.

Selina Okumu hit a buzzer-beater that saw KPA head to the half-time break leading by a basket (37-35).

Selina Okumu

"We came out and played in the final quarter and that is the KPA I had wished to see in the entire match. Consistency is am issue we have to address urgently as I don't understand why we couldn't play the same way in the other quarters. We have to go hard from the first quarter," Ojukwu added.

The third quarter was no different as Michèle Sokoudjou and Akariwe got action going with layups on both ends of the court for 39-37, Judith Pantaleo levelling matters off the free-throw line before Kemunto took the Bankers ahead again at 42-40.

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Hawks Crumble

KPA capitalised on a couple of turnovers and some costly fouls from Oluoch's charges down the stretch that saw KPA lead 54-49 but Kananu came to the Bankers' rescue, making it a two-point game ahead of the final quarter.

Back-to-back treys for KPA from Selina and Natalie Akinyi made the difference for Ojukwu charges, allowing them some breathing space at 64-59 with five minutes on the clock.

The Bankers, however, crumbled under pressure in the last five minutes of the clash, scoring a paltry four as KPA went on a 16-point run for victory.