Basketball: KPA Women humble Hoops of Rwanda in Africa Club Championships

Selina Okumu of KPA Ladies leap to score against KU Oryx during their Kenya Basketball Federation League (KBF) match at Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium on October 02, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Women kicked off the 2021 FIBA African Women’s Club Championship on a high note after thrashing Rwandan side Hoops 80-36 in Tanzania on Friday night.

Natalia Mwangale scored 19 points and four assists to inspire the Kenyan side to a huge victory which also saw Victoria Reynolds drop 13 points, Betty Kalanga score 12 points as captain Vilma Owino and Yvonne Okelo each finished with 11 points.

KPA got off to a good start after taking the first quarter 20-11 before the Rwandan side fought back to win the second quarter 14-13. Despite splitting the two opening quarters, KPA led 33-25 at the break.

In the third quarter, KPA showed their might in a commanding 25-5 score before sealing the win with a 22-6 fourth quarter dominance.

National champions Equity Bank and Kenya Ports Authority are representing the country at the African club basketball championships.

They qualified for the continental show in 2019 by finishing first and second in the Premier League respectively.

However, their quest for continental glory was halted as the organisers postponed the event due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.