PRETORIA (South Africa) - They came, they saw, they conquered!
Cameroon's run in the U18 Women's AfroBasket has been nothing short of spectacular, managing a podium finish in their first time of asking.
The Central Africans lost to holders Mali in the semis, to book a Third-Place clash against Uganda who lost their Last Four bout to former silver medalists Nigeria.
We are proud of our run and have picked valuable lessons. Next time Uganda will be in the Final - Bushira Namayanja.
Cameroon won the highly entertaining match 70-66 to establish themselves as a force on debut.
Kelya Kipo and Marwina Williams opened the baskets for Cameroon, the latter scoring back-to-back to give Cameroon the lead at 6-0. Sonia Okulu and Modesta Anyango responded to bring Uganda to within a point at 6-5 and again at 10-09 before Resty Nanangwe gave Uganda the lead for the first time at 11-10.
Damaris Emedie put her side back ahead as the quarter ended 15-13.
Emedie got the second quarter underway with two layups as the two sides struggled to convert their chances. Cameroon led 21-18 half way through the period. Melissa Taliba and Nanangwe were involved as Uganda fought to level the score at 23.
Ange Majolie Lonteu's charges kept pulling away from a resilient Uganda but coach John Omondi's squad refused to bulge, pushing the opponent for a 21-20 second quarter show that left them 3 points off, heading to the half-time break.
The Cameroonians had dominated the paint 22-10 in the first half, Emedie showing the way for her side to bag her signature double-double with 12 points and as many rebounds to help Mali lead in the first half.
On resumption, Anyango, who had top scored for Uganda with 8 in the opening half, took over from where she had left, scoring in the opening 30 seconds to bring the score to 36-35. Kipo responded with a basket as an exchange between her and Shiphrah Kiranda still saw the difference maintained at 40-39, 3 minutes into the quarter.
Yolande Masndi's floater with 3:16 to play made it a 3-point game at 46-43 but Taliba made it a one-point game before Cameroon went on a 7-point run for 53-45, the 8-point advantage remaining at the end of the period at 55-47.
Cameroon extended their lead to 11 in the opening two minutes of the fourth quarter but the Anyango shot 5 in a row, Nanangwe driving the basket for a layup. In their next play she was fouled, converting the resulting free throws to tie the game at 58. It was further tied at 61 to keep hopes of a podium place.
The Ugandans, however, allowed Cameroon to dictate action, albeit in a back and forth exchange, as the West Africans went on to win 70-66, despite trailing 19-15 in the final stanza.
As expected, Emedie led the charge for the eventual winners, accumulating 19 points and 24 rebounds in just over 33 minutes for her sixth double-double in as many matches. Kipo added 19 to the final tally as Williams and Adrianne Abada making 10 a piece.
Nanangwe was Uganda's top scorer with 19, Anyango adding 16 as Taliba managed 12.
"Despite the loss, which is painful, it is a learning moment for us as a squad, having bettered the results from previous assignments. We are proud of our run and have picked valuable lessons. Next time Uganda will be in the Final," Bushira Namayanja offered after her side's loss.
FIBA