African Women's Basketball League Game Recap: Equity Bank vs ASPAC

Equity Bank Grab First Win of the Tournament

In the other match of the group, Benin runners-up ASPAC Port played their first game of the tournament against Equity Bank, who lost 80-55 to Inter Clube the day before.

The two teams battled to a draw through the first three periods of the game (18-20, 21-15, 22-25), and after the third quarter the score was 61-60 in ASPAC's favor going into the final period.

The Portuaires faltered at that point, dropping the final period (8-27) and the game (69-87). Aishatou Kondoh Sobabe was the only Benin player to score 26 points, although Godgift Benson Joseph added 14 points for his team. On the Kenyan side, four players scored more than ten points, including Malu Irebu Grace (25 points and 17 rebounds), Melissa Otieno (21 points), Betty Kananu (16 points and 12 rebounds) and Maryann Nyagaki Wanjiku (11 points).

"It wasn't easy at the beginning. Because at the beginning of the game all the teams are fresh, but we fought hard, especially on the inside of the racket. After a timeout, the coach showed us how to do it and we were able to help each other. And that's what allowed us to come back," Malu Irebu Grace told AfricaBasket after the game

On the losing side, it was time for regrets, as Aishatou Kondoh Sobabe told AfricaBasket at the end of the game. "We had what it takes to win the game, but we made mistakes, especially in the last quarter. On rebounds and we let up on defense, which is why we lost. But we're gaining experience and we'll learn from our mistakes. With the coach we'll put things in place so that the next game will be better and we can win it.

[Image/Photography Credit: FIBA]