This archive report was first published on 13 July 2021.
Kenya's women's basketball team, the Lionesses, bounced back from a disappointing first match loss to Rwanda to secure a crucial 66-48 win over South Sudan in the 2021 Women's Fiba AfroBasket Zone Five qualifiers, played in Rwanda on July 13, 2021.
US-based forward Felmas Koranga led the charge, scoring a game-high 23 points, followed closely by Victoria Reynolds with 12 points. Captain Rose Ouma and Mercy Wanyama each contributed seven points to the team's victory.
The team's win was a much-needed boost, as they had started the qualifiers on the wrong foot with a 77-45 loss to hosts Rwanda in the opening match. A win was essential for Kenya to remain in contention for the solitary ticket to play in the upcoming Afrobasket games to be held in Egypt in September.
Kenya dominated the opening three quarters, leading 16-9, 10-5, and 21-10 in the first, second, and third quarters, respectively. However, South Sudan managed to narrow the gap in the final quarter, but Kenya held on to secure the win.
The team will now face Egypt in their final match, a game they must win to stand a chance of progressing to the main event.
