Al Ahly outclass REG to win 2024 WBLA Zone 5 Qualifiers

REG finished second at the 2024 Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone 5 Qualifiers, following their 93-68 defeat to Egypt's Al Ahly on Saturday in Zanzibar.

Both teams, who had secured a berth at the 2024 Women's Basketball League Africa, played out three tense quarters, but Julian Martinez's women choked in the final quarter.

The Egyptian franchise only had a four-point advantage (64-60) at the end of the third quarter. REG were horrendous when it came to the crunch, registering only eight points in the fourth quarter to Al Ahly's 29.

Nadine Mohamed Sayed grabbed the most points for Al Ahly as she sank 23 points. Raneem Elgedawy had 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Meral Abdelgawad added 19.

REG's Destiney Promise Philoxy scored a game-high 25 points, while Kristina Morgan King and Victoria Reynolds scored 21 and 18 points, respectively.

"We really fought but in the final quarter, we lost our momentum and allowed them easy baskets while also not using our possessions. It is a tough loss, but first, we have to be grateful for qualifying," said REG's Kristina Morgan King.

With this final loss, REG have suffered back-to-back final defeats as they were also beaten in the 2023 final by Kenya Ports Authority.

On the other hand, APR garnered a third-place finish after stunning KPA 85-51, thanks to Shaina Pellington's 24 points and Italee Lucas's 22.

Al Ahly and REG will represent Zone 5 at the 2024 Women's Basketball League Africa, with 12 teams from across the continent taking part in the tournament that will be held in Dakar, Senegal.

Photo: REG sealed a silver medal at the 2024 WBLA Zone 5 Qualifiers held in Zanzibar.

Photo: APR clinched a bronze medal at the 2024 WBLA Zone 5 Qualifiers held in Zanzibar.