DOUALA (Cameroon) - Congolese sides ASB Makomeno and CNSS on the last day of the Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Qualifiers for Zone 4, sealed their places in the Final Round billed for Dakar, Senegal in December.
For the two teams, their qualification is that of a mixed feelings with ASB Makomeno losing their last game while CNSS humbled FAP to break the hearts of the Cameroon teams.
This is how it went down on the last day at the Complexe Multi Sports de Japoma, Douala.
DBF shocks Makomeno
Coming with three wins before this game, ASB Makomeno were already assured that Daniel Battiston Foundation (DBF) will not be a problem in the last game but that was not to be as the home side came out blazing with a win of 62-52.
From the start of the game, DBF didn't relent or show any sign of weakness with a 21-14 scoreline in the first quarter and letting their confidence affected.
Seeing the determination of DBF, Makomeno fought back to maintain their exciting run in the Zone 4 Women's Basketball League Africa Qualifiers marching their opponent strength for strength with both sides ending the second and third quarters at 15-15 and 16-16 respectively.
The last quarter of the game proved the decider as DBF kept pressure on Makomeno to main their lead at 10-7 to hand the Congolese side their first defeat in the Qualifiers.
Larissa Mbong was all over the defense of Makomeno with a game double-double 17 points, 13 rebounds. Her teammate Raissa Mogoun added 14 points while the duo of Sussaine Even and Kesie Kom Yagou 9 points each in the game that had three lead changes.
For ASB Makomeno, Laura Kabongo with a 19 efficiency scored 17 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals for her efforts with Milove Muembia added 10 points while they committed 21 turnovers that sure affected the final score.
CNSS sends FAP packing
This last game of the Zone 4 Qualifiers had plenty of expectations with the two sides needing nothing but a victory to progress.
Entering into the game, they had two wins and a loss each setting the stage for an encounter that was expected to be thrilling.
CNSS outstanding star Bintou Drame recorded a game-high 17 points to help her side with Gracia Nguz and Rhema Tshoto contributing 13 points and 10 points to ensure their dominance of the the home team.
From the start, CNSS took the game to their host pressuring them and taking charge of the court while ensuring wins in all the quarters 21-12, 10-8, 17-7 and 13-11.
FAP's Cynthia Amayaba's 11 points for her team came short of expectations for the home side as they ended the Qualifiers on a 2-2 record just their counterparts DBF 2-2.
ASB Makomeno and CNSS finished with 3-1 record respectively while FAP and DBF ended their participation on a 2-2 and NABA recorded 0-4 mark.
FIBA