Defending champions Kenya Ports Authority made a dominant statement in their semifinal opener, routing first-time semifinalists Th3 Swish 80-42. The match took place on Wednesday night at Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium. KPA set the tone from the opening tip, racing into a 14-4 lead after the first quarter. Their size and experience advantage quickly became apparent as they capitalized on Swish's early turnovers.
The gap widened in the second quarter as KPA outscored Swish 22-8, taking a commanding 36-12 lead into half-time. Their offence found its groove in the paint, led by veteran guard Alima Doumbia and forward Aminata Samassekou. Swish struggled to generate clean looks against KPA's physical interior defence. The Dockers' crisp ball movement and suffocating defensive pressure forced early turnovers, which they punished in transition.
Any hopes of a Swish comeback evaporated in the third quarter as KPA continued to pull away, stretching their lead beyond 30 points. By the start of the fourth quarter, the Dockers were up 61-27, with their bench stepping up to keep the scoreboard ticking and the margin intact. Th3 Swish had no answer for KPA's depth, defensive intensity, and playoff pedigree.
The inexperience of Swish head coach Ariel Okal was exposed against a Dockers side that has held on to its league title and remains a benchmark in Kenyan women's basketball. The 38-point rout underlined the gulf between the two sides in Game One. KPA's blend of experienced internationals, physicality, and well-drilled rotations overwhelmed a young Swish side still finding its feet on the big stage.
The sides meet again in Game Two on Thursday at the same venue before the series shifts to Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa for Game Three over the weekend. Swish will need a response in Game Two to prevent the defending champions from taking a firm grip on the series. The series is part of the Kenya National Women's Basketball Premier League.
In the other semifinal, Stanbic Aces started strongly against Equity Hawks, winning the opening quarter 19-16. Equity responded in the second quarter, outscoring the bankers 19-11 to take a slim 28-27 lead into the halftime break. Stanbic regained control after the resumption, winning the third quarter 16-12 before sealing the hard-fought victory with a 23-20 scoreline in the final quarter.
The result gave Stanbic a 1-0 lead in the series, leaving Equity needing a victory in Game Two to level the contest. KPA's victory sets the stage for an exciting semifinal series, with the Dockers looking to maintain their dominance and Swish seeking to regroup and mount a comeback.
Key points
- KPA dominated the match from the start, with a 14-4 lead in the first quarter.
- The team's experienced players, including Alima Doumbia and Aminata Samassekou, led the charge.
- Swish will need to regroup and respond in Game Two to prevent KPA from taking a firm grip on the series.
