Mali hammer Guinea in first leg of Zone II Qualifier for AfroBasket Women 2015 and All Africa Games

BAMAKO (AfroBasket Women 2015) - Mali are halfway towards securing qualification for the 11th All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo Republic after beating Guinea 108-30 on Sunday night in the first leg of the two-game Zone II Qualifier.

The two teams will face off on Monday and Guinea face a very tall order.

Mali asserted their supremacy on a Guinea team made up of the domestic league's players, leading 23-2 at the end of the first quarter.

Mali's veterans Nagnouma Coulibaly, Meiya Tirera and Kankou Coulibaly did not relent the pressure on Guinea as Mali took a 46-8 lead at halftime.

It was much the same things after halftime as Guinea were outscored 32–8 and 30–14 respectively in the third and fourth quarters.

Nassira Traore led Mali with 26 points, while Tirera added 21 and 6 rebounds and Nagnouma Coulibaly had a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Djiba Mariama Toure had a team-high 17 points for Guinea.

Mali, who are already qualified for AfroBasket Women 2015 by virtue of their fifth-place finish at AfroBasket Women 2013, are looking to book their place for the 11th African Games.

Guinea are fighting for a spot at the biggest African women's basketball tournament, taking place in Yaounde, Cameroon from 24 September-3 October.

FIBA