Senegal make it rain 3pts to slow down South Sudan

 

MONASTIR (Tunisia) -  South Sudan struggled to protect the perimeter line and ended up paying the price against a Senegalese team that desperately need wins to relaunch their bid for a place in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Known for their intense and aggressive defence, South Sudan were unrecognisable on Friday night as they fell 69-66 to Senegal.

South Sudan gave up 14 three-pointers, seven of which in the final and decisive fourth quarter.

Five Senegalese players converted at least two shots from behind the arc, but it was Gorgui Dieng whose 4-for-8 three-pointers hurt South Sudan the most. Dieng  finished with a game-high of 17 points and completed his double-double with 15 rebounds.  

Brancou Badio, who sat our Window 3 of the African Qualifiers, proved vital for Senegal after successfully creating eight scoring opportunities while contributing 10 points.

Bul Kuol led the way for South Sudan with his 16 points, Sunday Dech - the other South Sudanese to score in double digits - added 13 points, but they found no answers to Senegal's desperation and determination.

TURNING POINT: Nothing hurt South Sudan more than their poor Free-Throw shooting on the night. And that was exemplified when Nuni Omot missed one of his two shots from the charity stripe that could have tied the contest at 67-all with 29 seconds left on the clock.

And sensing a potential South Sudan comeback, Senegal pushed the ball forward forcing their opponents to foul. Ibrahima Faye received an inbound pass from Brancou Badio for a thunderous dunk that determined the final score.

HERO: Gorgui Dieng did everything he possibly could to keep Senegal in the race for a place in next year's World Cup. 

He had a task of scoring the ball, putting his body on the line against the South Sudanese towers, and, more importantly, he led the young Senegalese in critical moments of the game. Dieng passed his task with  high grades thanks to sublime leadership skills. 

STATS DON'T LIE: South Sudan finished 11 for 22 from the Free-Throw line. They turned the ball over 14 times against Senegal's six.

BOTTOM LINE: Coming to a game of this magnitude with a 2-3 record wasn't the ideal situation to be in for Senegal, and they made sure to reverse the turn of events with a terrific display that slowed down the hottest team of the moment in African basketball."

Dieng called it "a big win for us," while he praised his teammates efforts. 

Supported by a huge crowd of fans - probably South Sudanese residents in Tunisia - South Sudan's fast and intense game didn't really work out against a team that is as athletic and young. 

FIBA