26th Afrobasket: Cote d’Ivoire bow out, loses to Tunisia 57-60

The dream of Cote d’Ivoire of making championship second straight grand finale was dashed Saturday by Tunisia in the first semi-finals of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men at the Palais des Sports Antananarivo, Madagascar by 57-60 points.
 
Cote d@ivoire opened a six points deficits in the first quarter by 16-22 but recover three in the second and gained one more in the third quarter before slumping to a point lose in the final quarter by 14-11, 16-15 and 11-12 for a final score-line of 57-60 points.
 
The Ivoriens were subdued by the Tunisian in all department of the high profile game as it recorded 33 rebounds to 45 for Tunisia, 8 assists to 10 for Tunisia beat Tunisia in steal with 8 steal to Tunisia 5 but recorded just one block in the forty minute duration of the game to Tunisia 5 blocks.
 
Tunisia dependable forward Macram Ben Romdhave led his side quest for a grand finale ticket with a double double effort of 15 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steal and one block-shot, centre Salah Mejri also had a double double of 14 points 12 rebounds and 3 block-shot with Marouan contributing 11 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.
 
The FIBA Africa Zone-1 power house and 2009 edition third place side will keep a date against the second semi-final winner between Nigeria and defending champion, Angola in the grand finale on Sunday.