NAIROBI (Kenya) - Patrick McGlynn and Dieudonne Ndayisaba Ndizeye top scored for Cape Verde's Kriol Star with 21 and 17 to hand the Hugo Miguel Da Silva Salgado-coached side their first Road to BAL victory against Bravehearts in a 89-58 outcome.
The Islanders, who received a wild card to participate in the East Division Elite 16, were a cut above their Malawian opponents in the first half, with the second half equally competed.
Kenneti Mendes scored the first basketball of the East Division Elite 16, setting the stage for a dominant performance in the opening quarter that saw them lead 14-03 in the opening four minutes with treys from McGlynn and Ndayisaba Ndizeye.
The Islanders further pushed their lead to 21-8 with a perfect pick and roll execution and a lethal three-point shooting that saw them finish with six treys, four from McGlynn, in a 32-12 opening stanza. Kriol's extended their lead to 44-14 in the opening half of the second quarter, their defense restricting Griffin Kalua's charges to a single basket and little changed as the sides headed to the halftime break with Bravehearts trailing 51-20.
The damage was too big for Bravehearts to recover from in the second half, despite going 18-15 up in the third and trailing 23-20 in the final period.
"It was a very good game for us. We came out very defensive in the first half for this win which was very important to set the tone and put us in the right mindset. We, however, have to stay focused for 40 minutes. We are taking it game by game as we look to reach our goal," skipper Joel Almeida said after the win.
His sentiments were echoed by coach Hugo who emphasized on the importance of such a start especially with a team that had been quickly assembled after they received their wild card.
"We had a good start and maintained the intensity especially in the opening half. We tried to organise the game, find the best shots and defensively we were solid. We gave a few open baskets and that is something we will correct on before the next match," coach Hugo told FIBA.basketball.
On their part, Bravehearts' skipper Madalitso Kadiwa blamed their second quarter slump for the loss. "We knew the competition would be tough but we expected a win in this match, somehow we blew it in the first half. Defense was our main undoing in the opening half. We also did not do well offensively in the second quarter and are hoping to regroup for the next match," he offered.
Bravehearts will be out to redeem themselves on Friday against neighbouring MBB Blue Soldiers from South Africa while Kriol chase a second win when they take on home side Nairobi City Thunder.
FIBA