U16 AfroBasket Women: Kenya Eyes Decent Finish After Beating Guinea In Classification Round

Kenya Eyes Decent Finish After Beating Guinea In Classification Round

A consistent name with exciting performances and efficiency rate in all of Kenya's games at this edition, Brenda Ochieng marked her presence by posting 12 points, grabbed ten rebounds and provided four assists to finish as the winning side's top performer, with Trixy Ochieng also contributing nine points, eight rebounds, six assists and seven steals in the win. For Guinea, Kadiatou Kaba, who finished the game as the overall top performer, posted 20 points, grabbed a massive 16 rebounds, three assists, and seven blocks in the disappointing loss.

The game tipped off with the Kenyans starting brightly with a 5-0 run before the Guineans started playing catch-up, which they did effectively as they went on to close the first quarter with a one-point lead at 13-12. Kadiatou was proving very tough to handle for the East Africans, but a combined team effort by the latter ensured that they were able to manage the first half well as they ran out 17-14 winners to head into the break leading by two points, 29-27. 

For the 123 fans inside the arena, they were gearing up for an exciting second half, and that was what was served by both teams. A dogged third quarter saw both sides register 12 points apiece, with loads of steals and blocks being witnessed, combined with missed shots and turnovers.
 
The final quarter was definitely going to be the decider despite the Kenyans leading by three points at the start of the quarter. The Guineans started with the basket after almost three minutes of action that saw turnovers and blocked shots when Mawa Soumah made a floating jump shot to reduce the deficit to a one-point game. 

Kenya who eventually dominated the paint then began to build their lead with five minutes left on the clock when Nyalando finished off a layup shot to give the East Africans a three-point lead at 49-46, it then increased with more points scored as they registered six more, limiting the Guineans to just two points within the time left as they advanced to the next round of the classification rounds.

In the end, Guineans took more points off Kenya's turnovers, scoring 20 as against Kenya's 16. The Kenyans' bench, however, proved vital as they contributed 13 points, with Guinea's bench only contributing ten points.

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[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]