Kenya Lionesses got a reprieve Tuesday evening following a much needed 87-53 victory over Burundi in the ongoing FIBA Women AfroBasketball Zone 5 Qualifiers in Egypt.
The win comes after George Mayienga’s side lost two consecutive matches to Uganda and South Sudan earlier in the week. “We made some adjustments in our execution and I am happy with the way we played. We had to be intense and get the early baskets. Now focus in on Egypt which is tough,” said an elated Mayienga.
Victoria Reynolds shone with the ball for Lionesses with a contribution of 22 points plus six steals and seven assists. The Kenyan team was dominant on front court and back court with solid leads in every quarter to stay alive in the qualifiers.
Team captain Selina Okumu had 15 points with Vilma Owino coming clutch with 12 points for Team Kenya. The start was good as Mayienga’s charges took a 26-10 lead in the opening quarter with some quick passing and attack oriented basketball that the Burundians found hard to contain. Burundi was more alert despite going down 15-8 in the second quarter but the rejuvenated Kenyans made some changes. The final two quarters were straight forward with Lionesses clinching 25-16 and 28-12.
Burundi, who gave a good shot, had Ines Nezerewa leading the board with 20 points and 8 rebounds. She was the only player out on the court for her side to hit double figures. Their turnover rates cost them a big deal plus the effects of poor ball handling. However, on the positive to avoid carnage, Burundi under Arsene Nfuraniza reverted to zonal defense pattern even though the relentless Kenyans had more intensity.
Meanwhile, Uganda also recovered brilliantly from their recent loss to table-toppers Egypt to clinch a morale boosting 83-69 victory over South Sudan. Jane Asinde led from the front and put up big numbers in her team’s second win in three games. She scored 28 points, the highest of the day, and added nine rebounds in the win.
Uganda, which meets Burundi next, had more fluidity upfront and dominated across the arc hitting a third of their shots in during the last evening encounter.
“We had to forget our previous loss and keep focused. Against South Sudan, our start was much better in terms of energy as opposed to the Egypt match. Our shot placement and even our defending were massively improved and so our transitions and buckets came in easier,” said coach Nicholas Natuhereza.
