Third place REG 68-83 Inter Clube Rwandan representatives REG missed out on the bronze medal in the 2023 FIBA African Women Basketball League (AWBL) after an 83-68 third place loss at the hands of Angolan giants Inter Clube at Alexandria court on Tuesday, December 19. AWBL 2023: REG bow out after gallant journey When the two sides met in the group stages of the continental club championship, debutants REG stunned five-time African Cup winners 96-89, subjecting them to their first defeat of the competition. AWBL: Philoxy and Mitchell combine 56 points as REG stun Inter Clube Cristina Matiquite, Nadir Manuel and Italee Lucas combined 60 points, with Matiquite delivering 22 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists, while the duo shared the rest equally for the win. Skipper Manuel completed her double-double with 14 rebounds and added 6 assists. Destiney Promise Philoxy got action underway with a driving layup but Matiquite answered immediately with a jump shot as Inter went on an eight-point run with Italee Lucas and Marioneth Silva adding treys for 8-2. Coach Pires' charges extended the advantage to 9 at 16-7, forcing REG into a timeout to restrategise. But they still trailed 20-9 with four minutes to play. Tiffany Mitchell went on a 10-point run with Betty Kalanga adding a basket in the remaining time for the quarter to end 27-21. ALSO READ: AWBL: REG women, KPA resume rivalry in semis Philoxy rose above her marker for a three that made it a five-point game at 29-24 with Nia Clouden's jumper maintaining the difference at 31-26, but REG got caught napping, allowing another Inter Clube run for 40-28 after four minutes in the second quarter. Inter Clube pushed REG's best scorers Philoxy, Mitchell and Kalanga out of their comfort zones to go 27-17 up in the second quarter for a 54-38 lead at halftime, leaving the Rwandan side with a 16-point deficit. ALSO READ: REG coach eyes podium finish at Africa Women's Basketball League Esperance Mukaneza's ladies had Philoxy to thank again as her two treys and Kalanga's jump shot saved their blushes in the opening five minutes of the third stanza. Inter Clube scoring 10 for an 18-point lead that was cut to 15 at the end of the period as REG kept them on just five from Ingvild Mucauro, Lucas and a Matiquite free-throw. The final quarter was equally contested for a 14-all score as Inter Clube went on to win the bronze. It was not a campaign that coach Mukaneza wished for his REG side which has targeted a podium in the competition.
