PRETORIA (South Africa)- Two crucial matches were played on day two of the FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket 2024 with holders Mali surviving Angola's onslaught to get their title defense off to a good start.
Morocco, meanwhile, held their own against fellow newbies Zambia to make an impactful debut in the age-group competition.
Second half brilliance powers Morocco past fellow debutants Zambia
Eiza Louveton and Lisa Masrour combined for 41 points with Ines Boulboul adding 16 to the tally as Morocco beat Zambia 75-56 to open their U18 campaign on a high.
Both being debutants made for a good clash, the first half remaining close as the North Africans led 19-15 in the first period before Zambia turned the tables for a 14-12 second quarter to make it a two-point game heading to the locker rooms.
A third quarter burst up from Morocco for a 15-6 show saw the Thami Senouni-led side take an 11-point advantage to the final stanza. Zambia had little chance of bouncing back as Morocco kept their foot on the pedal for a 29-21 final quarter leading to a 19-point victory.
"I am proud of this team. We had a tough start being our first match as a lot of us were still dealing with jet-lag and settling in the match, but a better execution in the second half helped us to fight for victory," Louveton who bagged a double-double of 21 points, 11 rebounds and six steals to boot told FIBA.basketball.
"At a personal level, I bet on playing better defensively and that way my teammates got to trust me with the ball more on offense and I am glad to have helped the team win. We hope to carry this momentum to the next game," she added.
Chaima El Hakmi came so close to a rare triple-double having scored 8, gave as many assists and steals while pulling down 5 boards. Masrour who scored 20 added 10 rebounds for a double-double, adding four steals to her tally.
Zambia's charge relied almost solely on the indefatigable Cholwe Simubali who had a game-high 22 points in just over 31 minutes on the floor. She added 16 rebounds for her side's only double-double. Katongo Chabela pulled down 11 boards as did Shella Mbulo, the duo was one point and two, respectively, shy of double-doubles.
Holders Mali survive Angola scare
In probably one of the most anticipated group phase matches, the clash between defending champion Mali and bronze medalists Angola lived up to its billing as the former fought for a 51-43 victory in an edge-of-the-seat action-packed encounter.
Stats don't lie and Mali's against Angola were a clear indication of who the favourites was despite the close encounter, the holders moving the ball better as evidenced by their 14 team assists compared to Angola's 5.
Mali took an early 6-1 lead but the Angolans clawed back to even the score at 6, the period ending in a 12-all stalemate.
Margarida Moniz put Angola ahead as soon as the second quarter started but Rokiatou Berthe had others ideas as she brought Mali right back with a fade-away three, to reclaim lead at 15-14. The two sides were separated by a single point at the end of the half, Mali leading 22-21.
The third quarter was no different as, despite Angola's efforts to change the tide in their favour, the status quo remained with Mali going ahead 38-35 with one quarter remaining. Angola got punished time and again for their clumsiness on the ball, Mali pushing the final quarter scores 16-8 for victory.
Mali's forward Oummou Koumare led the scoring with 14 with floor general Maimouna Traore adding 9, 8 steals and 4 assists. Luisa Amaral led the charge for Angola with 16 points.
Whether this was Mali showing signs of cracking remains to be seen. Their last loss came in the U18 Women's AfroBasket 2020, losing 68-63 to Egypt in the COVID-19 impacted competition that had Senegal as the only other competitors.
Before that, Mali had last lost the 2012 final, 55-50, to Senegal.
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