APR lose to KPA in close contest

Fiba-Africa Women Club Championships Day One Desportivo 85-41 V-clubKPA 44-43 APRPrimero 63-58 F.Bank ABC 66-53 E.WingsGroup A: Primero de Agosto, First Bank, Djoliba, ABC, Radi, Wings Group B: Desportivo, KCC, CSA, V-Club, KPA, APR APR blamed their game one defeat in the 14th Fiba Africa Women’s Club Championships on a five-foul penalty on utility player Patience Ndandi. The Rwandan giants who are drawn in Group B alongside defending champions Desportivo of Mozambique, CSA (Ivory Coast), V-Club (DR.Congo), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Uganda’s KCC Leopards suffered a narrow 44-43 defeat in a closely fought contest against KPA at Nyayo Stadium on Thursday. Brandile Ndaya scored a game high 13 points while Purity Adhiambo weighed in with12 points for APR who are only making their debut at the championships. On the other hand, KPA were lifted by Yvonne Akinyi and Evelyne Akoth who scored 10 points each. After the game, APR coach Kavedzija Veceslav said that withstanding his side’s missed opportunities, the five-foul penalty on Ndandi disorganized the players. The win did not, however come easy as KPA struggled to contain a youthful and swift Rwandan side, which scored most of its points on fast breaks. KPA enjoyed early proceedings to take a 17-5 edge in the opening quarter but a second quarter effort by Brenda Wasuda, Purity Adhiambo and Patience Ndandi saw APR close the gap to five points as KPA led 24-19 at the break. After the break, a Yvonne Akinyi and Joyce Makungu combination saw KPA take a third quarter lead but like in the second quarter, APR put in more pressure for a 38-32 third quarter score. The fourth quarter was tense as both teams exchanged the lead for a 44-43 full time score. KPA coach Anthony Ojukwu though happy with the win said he did not expect such a strong challenge from Rwanda who lost to the Kenyan side in the finals of the Zone 5 qualifiers, played in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia early this month. In the other Group B tie, defending champions Desportivo defeated V-Club 81-45 while Primero de Agosto and ABC pulled off 63-58 and 66-53 wins over First Bank (Nigeria) and Eagle Wings (Kenya) in Group A. Ends

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APR lose to KPA in close contest