DAKAR (Senegal) - It was upsets galore in Group B as the 2024 Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) action entered day three at the Marius Ndiaye Arena in Dakar, Senegal.
The script was, however, different in Group A where favourites ASC Ville de Dakar and Al Ahly Sporting picked comfortable victories against Nigeria's MFM Queens and Cameroon's FAP.
Here's how the action unfolded in the four matches played on Day 3;
GROUP B
FBA stun APR for first win
Four of Friends Basketball Association (FBA) players managed double digits on points.
Sarah Berthé leads the way with 14 points, and the other three players dropped 10 points apiece as the Lémou Benga-coached side took the star-studded APR by surprise for a 63-55 win.
"We wanted this more. We made adjustments defensively and played better than in the first match. Unlike in the first match where we struggled in the final quarter when they went on a15-7 rally after switching to zone defense, APR's run of 20-12 in the final quarter today did not bother us as we had executed well in the initial stages to take a comfortable lead," coach Benga said after the victory.
By half time, only three APR players had managed to score. They led 18-13 in the first quarter but failed to bag any baskets in the next stanza, scoring off the free-throw line in an 18-4 show.
Despite continuing to struggle on both sides of the court, coach Charles Mushumba continued to trust his rotation of eight even as the side trailed by 26 (63-37) in ths fourth, a 20-12 comeback attempt doing little to change their fate.
Shaina Pellington was APR's sole player to hit double on points with 18; WNBA star Kierstan Bell and Italee Lucas managing five and eight respectively.
"We are struggling with transition defense and need to pay attention to that. We have the skill and talent but hard work will beat talent any day. They were not more skilled than us but we beat ourselves mentally. They played hard for a reason since they knew they wouldn't beat us on skills. We lacked effort and that's what we must have to win the last group match," Pellington offered after the clash.
CNSS hand holders first defeat in three editions
Defending champions Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC) came into the 2024 WBLA on the back of two unbeaten African title runs, winning their first game in this year's competition 65-49 against Friends Basketball Association (FBA) from Côte d'Ivoire.
However, in their second match against DR Congo's CNSS, the Amr Elmaraghy-coached side gave away a 20-point lead in the third quarter, to lose 61-59, Koko Ade's charges putting an end to their 15-0 run on the continent.
"We gauged ourselves in the opening match, against Alexandria Sporting. It was a match we could have won and we made adjustments coming into this clash and they worked. The confidence that this match has given us will propel us in the last match against Friends Basketball Association (FBA) who have the same playing style as we do.
Bintou Drame top scored for the winners with 21, Kevine Kabongo Wa Kabongo adding 10 as CNSS, who went on a 14-0 run in the second half of the third quarter to cut their deficit to six before tying the game on 54 points as they held on in a tense finish for victory.
Coach Elmaraghy put the blame squarely on their turnovers and missed free throws, saying: "There are a lot of numbers here that no team can win after registering. We had 26 turnovers, something we had talked about after giving away the ball 17 times in the opening match. We also missed half of our free throws (15/30). We didn't deserve a win in this game."
Group A
ASC de Ville Dakar stay perfect
Home side ASC Ville de Dakar shot 31-of-66 on field-goals, including five trebles and 14/23 on free-throws to pick a commanding 81-50 victory against MFM Queens from Nigeria, subjecting the latter to their second defeat while putting themselves in prime position for a quartet's place.
Elisabeth Dabou played her best basketball yet in this competition to lead her side to victory, dropping 19 points and 14 rebounds. She added six assists, a steal and a block to her tally for 34 in efficiency, the highest so far.
Moustapha Gaye, ASC's head coach says the plan was to play hard from the get-go and run the scores early, assumingly to avoid a situation like they had in the opening match that ended 57-54, coming from behind against FAP.
"It was not an easy game but we had set out to win with the knockout matches in mind. Both sides had their runs. We put crucial stops to two of their best players and were able to pick a comfortable win. Regardless, we still have some rough edges we need to work on before playing Al Ahly Sporting in the final group match," coach Gaye said.
His opposite, Joy Ochuko blamed her side's lackluster defense for all their troubles. "It wasn't the best game for us. Nothing worked offensively and on defense, we didn't come to play, we allowed a lot of easy points. We will have to work on our rebounding, contesting shots and just play better defense for a chance to win."
Al Ahly SC stay perfect
In Sunday's last game, Egypt champions Al Ahly SC extended their winning streak, beating Cameroon's FAP 89-63.
The victory has seen the Zone Five champions Al Ahly SC remain top of Group A while extending their streak to 8-0 in their WBLA campaign (from the qualifiers). This was the Egyptian side's lowest scoring match in this run, scoring four points less than their 93-68 win over Rwanda Energy Group in the zone Final.
They dominated Ange Majolie's charges 56-34, 21-5 on fast breaks with their bench contributing 41-12 in the win. "I have a young squad with most making their debut at this level and I know they will grow from this. Al Ahly beat us with experience and height advantage, but they also had quick transitions that we struggled to keep up with. All the same I am impressed with my players and I know we will get better," coach Majolie. "We had identified their key players and had a game plan which we stuck to. We did not change much for this win," Tamara Ibrahim Al Ahly forward.
FIBA