Last year, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) landed a wild card to compete at the annual Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA), hosted in Cairo, Egypt, after placing third in the Zone 5 qualifiers in Nairobi.Download our MozzartSport App For More NewsThis year, the Samuel Ocholla-led side has complicated their chances after falling 102-97 to Tanzania's Fox Divas in the third-place playoff to finish fourth in the eight-team zonal qualifiers that concluded on Saturday, 24 October in Kibaha, Tanzania.KPA had beaten the Tanzanians 90-60 in the Group Phase on Tuesday, 20 October.Ugandan point guard Evelyne Nakiyingi and centre Hope Akello anchored Divas' offense, scoring 31 and 25 points respectively, the latter collecting 15 rebounds to complete a double-double. Zambian power forward Gift Kaonga scored 14, and completed a double-double with 17 rebounds. Jescal Ngisaise (18), and Judith Pantaleo (10), also scored in double digits.Nairobi United hand Harambee Stars ace fresh chance to revive career after Tanzania exitKPA's charge was led by Tonie Morgan who dropped a game-high 33 points, coming two assists shy of a double-double. Victoria Reynolds (19), Alima Doumbia (18) and Christine Akinyi (11) also contributed massively to the Dockers' charge but their efforts fell short.The opening quarter remained a close call, despite Divas taking an early 10-4 and 13-7 leads. Babra Achieng and Reynolds shot from deep on both occasions to keep the home side close, the quarter playing out for a 26-24 outcome in favour of the hosts.Two minutes into the second quarter, Akinyi went on a five-point run, Doumbia adding four as KPA came from behind to lead 37-32, forcing Divas into a timeout. The home team assumed lead at 40-39, pulling away for 48-53 heading to the halftime break.##NAJAVA_MECA_10055721##A nine-point run halfway through the third quarter for Ocholla's charges saw the Kenyans take charge again at 61-58, maintaining the lead in a 31-23 quarter to head to the final stanza with a three-point (74-71) advantage. A seven-point run for Divas, again halfway through the final stanza, left KPA chasing at 90-85, a difference they eventually failed to recover from.In a match with 11 lead changes and six ties, KPA matched Divas on most fronts, but were out-rebounded 39-21 on defense denying them crucial scoring opportunities. The Kenyan champions scored 19 points off Fox's 21 turnovers, but could not get the win in a match they turned the ball over a paltry five times.Peponi School clinch NCBA Lisle Shaw Memorial Interschool golf title
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