KPA STREAK ENDS AS APR DOMINATES IN BAL QUALIFIERS CLASH
The Kenyan Ports Authority (KPA) women’s basketball team saw their impressive winning streak snapped after a tough 81-71 loss to Rwandan giants APR in the BAL Qualifiers.
KPA had started strongly, leading at halftime 44-33, but APR came out more organized and aggressive in the second half.
They outscored the hosts 21-10 in the third quarter and dominated the final quarter 27-17 to seal the victory.
APR’s key players Italee Lucas, Destiney Promise Philoxy, and Kamba Yoro Diakite combined for a ruthless 63 points, overpowering KPA’s challenge despite strong scoring performances from KPA’s Alima Doumbia and Ifunanya Okoro, who together tallied 44 points.
This loss pushed KPA to second place in Pool A with three wins and one loss, while APR topped the group unbeaten with a perfect 4-0 record.
The result sets up a semifinals clash where KPA will face REG, another strong Rwandan side and winners of Pool B, while APR will take on Les Hippos from Burundi.
The defeat was a setback for KPA who had started the tournament on a high note with three straight wins but had difficulty containing APR’s relentless offense late in the game.
This result highlights the competitive nature of the BAL Qualifiers and the strength of East African women’s basketball, with APR asserting their dominance as favorites going into the semifinals and KPA aiming to regroup and fight for a place in the final stages of the tournament