FUS Rabat book Semi-Finals slot despite loss to SLAC

 

YAOUNDE (Cameroon) – Reigning Morocco champions FUS Rabat slumped to a surprising 73-66 loss against SLAC in their final Group B game of the West Division Elite 16 on Thursday.

But despite the setback, Rabat became the first team to qualify for Saturday's Semi-Finals as they finished with a 2-1 mark. 

SLAC's win, their first in the qualifiers, no doubt sees them with a win out of three games but they will be on the next flight home.

The Conakry-based team came into the game to redeem their image after two earlier losses to Bangui Sporting Club (88-79) and ABC Fighters (98-70), respectively.

Senegalese Maodo Nguirane won the opening jump ball but SLAC did not make their opening basket until after a minute of play when FUS Rabat’s Yacine Baeri opened the scoring first.

With scores at 19-9 for FUS Rabat and time at 2:45, Coach Said El Bouzidi, who was feeling uncomfortable, stood up for the first time to give instructions.

 

FUS Rabat left it late and didn’t bother to fight any further knowing that they had gone through to the semis as the game was taken beyond their reach 19-17 for SLAC.

TURNING POINT: SLAC showed a greater hunger to win and didn't slow down on that desire as they took the fight to FUS Rabat.

HEROES: Nisre Zouzoua accumulated an efficiency rating of 17 scoring a game-high of 24 points, and dished out 2 assists. Zaid Hearst added 20 points and Marcus Gilbert scored 14 points for SLAC.

FUS Rabat's Aliou Diarra scored 8 points and was 3-for-3 in field-goals. Badr Azouga, Ayoub Nouhi and Prince Orizu were all with efficiency rates of 10.

STATS DON'T LIE:  Despite the nine lead changes in the game, when SLAC took the lead later in the third quarter, they never looked back even though Rabat continued to push to close their campaign with a perfect 3-0. 

BOTTOM LINE: FUS Rabat remain in contention for a spot in the next edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) while SLAC came up short of their third straight appearance in the coveted BAL. The good thing for SLAC is they are heading home with their heads held high.

WHAT THEY SAID: “Winning this game would have meant nothing for us because we needed to conserve our energy for the Semi-Finals. SLAC was hungrier for a win and I congratulate them.” – Abdelhakim Zouita of FUS Rabat.  

 "This is our last game and we needed to put in everything we had into it and winning was important for us. Coming to Yaounde a day before the commencement of the Elite 16 was not the best for us. We should have been together longer. However, we’re happy that we’re leaving with a smile on our faces.” – Ibrahima Doumbouya of SLAC.

FIBA