A flawless first quarter performance inspired by Congolese import Ginette Mfutila Makiese who scored 21 points was all First Bank Basketball Club needed to secure their second win (95-71) over Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) at the FIBA Africa Women Champions Cup Monday in Maputo, Mozambique.
The Kenya were slow in the first quarter and before they could get themselves together, the Nigerian Champions had won the quarter 35-4. They, however, came to win the second quarter 16-25, the third quarter ended 19-16 in favour of First Bank, while the Kenyans won the last quarter 26-25 for a cumulative score of 95-71 in favour of the Nigerians.
The Kenyans must be commended the way they responded in last three quarters, but it was a case of trying to reduce the tally, while the first Bank crew urged the played to take it easy and score their points whenever the chance present itself, a tactic which paid off the Nigerians remains on course to top Group B.
Apart from Makiese, four other players – Nkechi Akashile (17 points), Malaika Nyree Green (14 points) Nkem Akaraiwe (12 points) and Jasmine Nwajei (10 points) also got double figures, while Ugandan import Jamila Nansikombi who lead the floor with 27 points was the only player who made double digit score for the Kenyans.
At some points in the game, the First Bank players look jaded in the game, but their experience was enough to give them victory. Despite still expecting some players to join the team, First Bank have made a bold statement of their desire to win the championship after finishing twice in the last three years.
Meanwhile, D’Tigress forward Aisha Mohammed joined the team from the US yesterday and was on hand to give the players some pep talk during the half time break.
She was not dressed up for the game, but she sat behind the bench urging her team mates when they looked down and commended them when they did well.
She is expected to make her first appearance tomorrow when they take on Lakers of Zimbabwe 10:15 am Nigerian time.