Basketball in Africa

KENYA'S hopes in the FIBA Africa women club championships was dashed after Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) lost 44- 51 to First Bank of Nigeria at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

The porters played perhaps their best game of the tournament and deservedly took the first quarter 14-8 as the experienced Nigerians struggled every way. They however recovered in the second to lead 15-9 as Oselabi Funymilayo hit the target at will.

The third quarter was taken by First Bank who raced a big 20-8 difference before succumbing 8-13 in the last quarrter as KPA exerted pressure in this scrappy match.

Kenyan's Caroline Aratoh unveiled her best show ever and she got big help from Agnes Anyango who worked hard down low but also had her fair share of easy misses down low. Yvonne Akinyi played despite being unwell and did the team good.
With the crowd urging them on, KPA who were down 43-31 at the start of the last quarter moved closer on another Akinyi basketr that had the scores 41-49 with 2: 24 minutes left to play. But First Bank, who did not play Mfon Udoka, refused to wilt and hanged on to make the semis.
Joyce Ekworomandu led with 18, Udeaji Chiomi bagged 12 and Oselabi Funymilayo scored 11. For the home team, Arato nailed 16 and was the only one doing the double.