KPA shift focus to KBF title after Zone Five victory

As curtains came down on the FIBA Africa Zone Five Women's Club Championship held in Dar es Salaam, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) lifted the title after beating nemesis Equity Hawks 71-35. 

"It was a tough game, closely contested in the beginning but I thank God,that we won in the end. With that title in the bag, we now shift our focus to the local league title. 

There us nothing much we can do now but wait for confirmation of the playoff fixture so we can prepare accordingl. At the same time, we will be waiting for communication from FIBA on the next assignment at the Africa Women's Championship," said coach Antony Ojukwu after the win. 

The dockers' tactician had elected to start Natalie Akinyi and Charlene Wandago who are regulars in the Mombasa-based side with Victoria Reynolds, Ugandan Claire Lamunu and Betty Kalanga who had joined the side for the Dar es Salaam championship also starting. 

On his part, Hawks' head coach David Maina had Betty Kananu, Samba Mjomba, Melissa Akinyi, Belinda Okoth and Cynthia Mawero starting. 

The first quarter was tightly fought but it was the dockers who held a two-point advantage at the end of the period at 19-17. Lamunu, Reynolds and Kalanga scored seven, five and four while Wandago added three for KPA. 

Kananu and Melissa contributed six and seven points respectively with Annrose Mandela and Okoth getting a basket each to trail by two points. 

On resumption, the bankers only managed ten points, six scored by Kananu as KPA scored 16 to extend their advantage to eight points as the match went on the halftime break. 

Hawks' game went South, fast, upon resumption as Ojukwu's charges ran rings around them to score 12 while thwarting all efforts from the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) champions who only managed a basket, scored by Linda Alando. 

The final period was no different as Hawks committed turnover after another to manage a paltry six points as KPA scored 24 for the 36-point victory. 

Lamunu emerged top scorer in the match at 19 points, one better than teammate Natalie. Reynolds and Kalanga also hit double digits at 11 and ten respectively. Hawks' Kananu was the only player to hit double digits on points at 13. 

"We had a good start and the game was within reach even when we were trailing by eight points in the first half. However, KPA picked the pace in the second half and we were unable to adjust and catch up. Congratulations to them for winning.

As for my team, all we need is to have the fighting spirit no matter the outcome. We lacked that in the second half and the scores show. We will do better in the next assignment," Equity's Melissa said after the match.