KPA win silver as Egypt's Alexandria Sporting crowned 2023 Africa Women's Basketball League champions
Basketball
By
Washington Onyango
| Dec 20, 2023
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) secured the silver medal in the inaugural Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL) after a valiant effort in the final against Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC), held on the Egyptian champions' home turf.
In a fierce showdown, ASC emerged victorious with a dominating 103-59 win, claiming the gold medal in the nine-day competition that featured 10 teams.
ASC, the reigning Africa Champions Cup for Women titleholders, had previously lifted their first-ever African club title last year.
The final against KPA was a highly anticipated FIBA Africa Zone Five derby, a rematch of their Group A clash in the final Group Phase, where ASC had triumphed 102-77.
Despite an early 5-0 lead by KPA's Natalie Mwangale and Victoria Reynolds, ASC quickly narrowed the gap with standout performances from Fatou Diagne and Cierra Dillard, making it an 11-8 game midway through the first quarter.
ASC's skipper Hagar Amer then led a charge, securing a six-point advantage and extending it to 22-15 by the end of the quarter.
The second period saw KPA struggle with turnovers, allowing ASC to build a 35-24 lead within four minutes. Destiny Pitts contributed a three-pointer, expanding Sporting's lead to 38-26. By halftime, KPA faced a daunting 58-32 deficit, unable to contain ASC's transition.
Throughout the game, ASC capitalized on KPA's ball-handling issues, forcing 16 turnovers and converting 13 points off those mistakes. Heading into the locker rooms, ASC held a commanding 63-33 lead.
In the second half, ASC continued their dominance, allowing KPA only four points in the third quarter and maintaining their lead in the final period.
The game concluded with ASC securing their second-ever continental title with a 103-59 victory. Skipper Hagar Amer led the scoring with an impressive 32 points, while Cierra Dillard contributed 17 in the historic win.
KPA, in their first appearance in the Last Four of a continental competition, settled for the silver medal.