PRETORIA (South Africa) - Monday's Group C clashes in the FIBA U18 AfroBasket in South Africa saw Rwanda and Morocco complete their assignments at the University of Pretoria with victory to progress to the next round.
Here is what you need to know about the only two games played on Monday.
Morocco cool down hosts
In a make-or-break Group C battle, a hot Morocco turned the heat on the host nation South Africa's response.
Superb performances from Omar Karem (26 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals) and Rayane Solhi (22 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and five steals) led to a 66-31 victory for the Moroccans.
Morocco came into the match with a 1-1 record, while South Africa were 0-2. A victory would improve either team's chances of progressing to the next round, and the Moroccans seized the day.
Two Omer Karem triples and Rayane Solhi's corner three set Morocco up for a 9-0 lead four minutes into the clash.
South Africa's offence could not settle against the steady North African team's defense. Seeing his team 13-1 down, Florsheim Ngwenya had seen enough and called a time-out to re-strategise.
Solhi responded with another triple after Mashaba had landed one for the host nation. The men red kept making it rain, with Karem's baseline drive for the reverse layup and fast break bucket stretching the lead to 14 points (20-6).
Karem and Solhi shoot the lights out
Morocco added another to finish the quarter 24-10 up. Five minutes into the second quarter, Karem and Solhi amassed 18 and 11 points. The North Africans were 7/14 from three, with Karem shooting 4/6 and Solhi 3/7.
"We thought we could win against Rwanda, but it did not happen, so our focus turned to this game - Rayane Moukrim
South Africa managed to add eight to their tally with threes from Mashaba and Shongwe and a bucket from Masinga, but it was not enough to close the 20-point gap (39-19) built by Morocco at the end of the first half.
The second half saw Morocco lose some of the sting they began the previous half with, but it was no trouble for them as South Africa posed little threat.
"I'm happy with the result. It's the same for the team. We are all happy with the outcome after our loss (against Rwanda)," said Rayane Moukrim, who scored six points in the victory over South Africa. "We thought we could win against Rwanda, but it did not happen, so our focus turned to this game. We worked on correcting our mistakes in the previous game... And it showed against South Africa, so we are happy."
Rwanda advance to the next round with perfect 3-0
East African nation Rwanda held off pressure from Zambia to win 86-69 and finish Group C with a 3-0 record.
The Rwandese have secured passage to the next round, while Zambia will cross their fingers for a wild card qualification to the Quarter-Finals.
Ivan Mugabo came off the bench to lead his country with 20 points, three rebounds and three assists. Dylan Kayijuka dropped 19, while Sean Mwesigwa scored 15 points.
Zambia were led in scoring by Brighton Wakunguma's 19 points, while Frank Siame (11) and Chomba Mulenga (10) also scored in double figures.
Mwesigwa gave his country a 12-8 lead after landing a big three. Ramesha would hit another three with four minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Zambia also kept themselves in the contest (18-15) with a bucket from Kelvin Mulenga and free throws from Brighton Kalizi, but Rwanda would pull away with another Mwesigwa triple. The slick dribbling Kayijuka would weave his way into the opposition's paint to finish with a neat reverse layup to close the quarter 23-15.
Wakunguma's two threes would bring Zambia back from into the clash, while a Lizeko free throw tied the game 26-26 four minutes into the second quarter.
The difference between the two teams was minimal - Zambia scored 10 points from turners overs to Rwanda's nine. The Southern Africans also led in fast break point 13-2, while Rwanda dominated the second points chart 17-4.
Paul Mwale's men also had a slight upper hand with points in the paint 20-18, and his bench also stepped with a contribution of 12 points to the six of Rwanda.
Zambia also had a single-digit lead of 42-41 at the end of the first half. Sharpshooter Mwesigwa led all scores with 13. His teammate Kayijuka followed with 12.
Zambia capitulate
Rwanda went on a 9-0 run early in the fourth quarter, with Ivan Mugabo scoring a three and a floater in the paint. Hilar Irakunda would complete a three-point play, while Mwesigwa scored from a fast break for the East African nation 51-42.
With two minutes to go, Rwanda had stretched their lead to 16 (66-50), but free throws from Zambia's Siame reduced the lead. The fast-moving training that is Rwanda steamrolled to a 70-55 lead going into the fourth.
We need keep our feet on the ground because we want to win this tournament and qualify for the World Cup - Jayden Rushema
Zambia would regain a bit of momentum with big man Elijah Hantete dropping a bucket and Mulenga's up-and-under layup cutting the lead to 13 (74-61). A time-out call from Yves Murenzi would kill Zambia's momentum and give the Rwandans back the initiative with Christian Iranzi and Mugabo getting quick buckets.
Zambia's second-half struggles were their undoing, they also found an inspired Rwanda that fired on all cylinders to finish top of Group C.
"This means everything, having to finish three and zero and being able to go into the quarter-finals strong is important. We need keep our feet on the ground because we want to win this tournament and qualify for the World Cup," said Jayden Rushema, who scored nine points.
FIBA