AFROBASKET WOMEN – Mali, Senegal unbeaten so far

BAMOKO (Afrobasket Women) - Senegal and hosts Mali were the pre-tournament favorites to reach the Afrobasket Women title game and their victories on the first two days of the tournament show why.

On Friday, Mali rolled to a 69-41 win over Tunisia and Senegal trounced Nigeria, 86-62.

On Saturday, Mali won 57-44 over Ivory Coast and Senegal blew away Angola, 63-42.

The stakes are high at the Afrobasket Women because the side that wins will qualify for the London Games.

Mali upset Senegal in the Final played in Dakar four years ago to reach the Beijing Games.

In Mali's victory over Ivory Coast, forward Djenebou Sissoko had 14 points, nine rebounds and four steals while Meiya Tirera weighed in with 14 points and six boards.

Ivory Coast have lost twice because on Friday, they suffered a 69-65 setback in overtime to Mozambique.

Senegal, who beat Mali in the Final two years ago, only led 32-26 at half-time against Angola on Saturday but pulled away in the second half for a convincing win.

Astou Traore had 13 points and five rebounds for Senegal.

Mozambique got 15 points from point guard Deolinda Ngulela and routed the Democratic Republic of Congo, 76-55, to improve to 2-0.

Rwanda, who thrashed Guinea 69-35 in their first game, fell 45-42 to Cameroon on Saturday.

Amina Njonhou, the Cameroon captain, had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Nigeria, meanwhile, bounced back from their loss to Senegal by defeating Guinea 60-31.

Tunisia were awarded a 20-0 win over Ghana on Saturday night.

FIBA