ZANZIBAR (Tanzania) - Rwanda Energy Group (REG) are heading to the 2024 Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA).
The side won the Rwandese derby, beating APR 82-77 to seal their ticket and book a Zone 5 Final clash against Al Ahly Sporting Club of Egypt.
Victoria Reynolds, Kristina Morgan King and Destiney Promise Philoxy got action for REG underway for a 6-0 lead before Chanel Mokanga, Shaina Pellington and Assouma Uwizeye brought the Rwandese silver medalists back level in the opening minutes of the first quarter. REG, however, held their own for 19-14.
Things went downhill for APR in the second quarter after Rosine Micomyiza's started a 12-2 run, knocking down back-to-back treys, that saw her side lead 33-20 in the opening half of the second period forcing APR into a timeout but little changed as REG went on to outscore their bitter rivals 28-16 to take a 47-30 lead to the break.
Italee Lucas went on a 6-point run on resumption to make it an 11-point game but REG pulled away again for 66-45 and despite the quarter ending 22-21 Charles Mushumba's charges dug themselves 18-points deep with just 10 minutes to execute a comeback.
Kamba Diakite went to work in the fourth, scoring nine in the opening half, Jane Dusabe adding four as APR cut their deficit to 12. Back-to-back treys for Lucas brought the difference down to a single digit at 78-70 and there was renewed vigour for Mushumba's charges but their comeback was never to be as REG held on for 26-13 in the final period to book yet another ticket to the African competition.
Turning Point: APR, surprisingly played catch-up the entire match with REG's run in the second quarter changing.
Game Hero: Reynolds dropped 26 points with a 10-of-11 on the paint, adding 10 assists and coming two rebounds shy of a triple-double in 37 minutes for a game-high 37 on efficiency. King who was also good for 10-of-13 on the paint finished with a double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds as the duo propelled REG past their countrymen.
Stats Don’t Lie: A 29.4% shooting on three for APR who have been good from beyond the arc, and being dominated in the paint 48-40 and 11-4 on fast breaks made all the difference.
Bottom Line: REG make back-to-back appearances in the continental showpiece as APR look to make a podium finish when they take on KPA.
They Said:
"It was a team effort. We had a plan to stop their key players, bringing our individual brilliance while still playing as a unit and it worked well. Of course being from the same league played a part as we know how they play and there is some bragging rights to this match-up. We head to the Final confident and ready to fight for the title," Victoria Reynolds, REG guard.
"It is a tough loss for us. Our defense was really wanting and that affected our offensive strategies in a big way. It hard to take this but we have to recover and fight for third place," - Charlotte Umugwaneza, APR skipper.
FIBA