.jpg)
B. OdhiamboBAL: KPA fall to Dynamo of Burundi in Group C opener
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 19.10.23. | 22:00
With only group leaders advancing to the Elite 16, KPA must win of their two remaining games, against Benin champions Elan Coton and Pazi of Tanzania if they are to have a chance in the last sixteen
Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Premier League champions Kenya Ports Authority began their Road to 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Group C Division campaign on a low note, succumbing 75-63 to Burundi’s Dynamo BBC at the ICT Gymnasium, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
With only group leaders advancing to the Elite 16, KPA must win of their two remaining games, against Benin champions Elan Coton and Pazi of Tanzania if they are to have a chance in the last sixteen.
The dockers got off to a wobbly start, allowing the illustrious Burundian side to dictate the tempo of the game in the opening quarter.
KPA sat back and had little to do in the second quarter either as Dynamo took a 29-15 lead midway through the stanza as the Kenyan champions struggled for grip.
.jpg)
The Robert Mugabe-coached side then caught fire racing away to build an 11-point cushion at 33-22 before again raving away to a strong 41-26 advantage as the two sides went to the break.
Nothing went right for the dockers as the 2022/23 Burundi national title winners continued to run rings around them, leading 51-32 mid-way through the third quarter.
They then built a 24-point advantage at 69-41 as the buzzer sounded to end the quarter.
.jpg)
In the decisive quarter, Dynamo who proved too fast for the Kenyans' liking were already safe despite KPA’s late surge that saw them take the quarter 22-8.
Tyrone Jordan sunk a game-high 22 points and Ariel Okal shot 12. The duo was the only once from KPA that posted double digits.
Dynamo were led by King Revolutionary and Israel Oyoro, who both managed 18 points each while Guibert Mijimbere hit 15 and Bienvenu Richard had 14.
Next for the Kenyan champions is a stern test against Pazi of Tanzania who boost of a home court advantage, the 2022 Tanzanian champions are set to make their debut in the BAL qualifiers, becoming the fourth club the country has produced for the prestigious competition.
.jpg)
.jpg)
