Mali proves champion stuff, beat Angola 63-51

ANTANANARIVO (21st FIBA Africa Championship for Women) – Defending champion of the FIBA Africa Championship for Women, Mali proved that it is really a champion when it came from 20-09 points in the first quarter to turn the table against Angola.

Spurred on by reigning Africa most valuable player, Hamchetou Maiga, the Malian rallied back to pick the second quarter by 14-09 points to narrow the margin to just six points of 29-23 points going into the break.

Maiga and her teammates go a step further in the third quarter stopping the Angolan incursions with a 17-05 points to take over the lead and move into the last quarter with a 40-34 points advantage.

Mariam Sy big 20 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists was all the Malian required to pick the last quarter with a 23-17 points to take seal victory.

Sy was joined by Djene Diawara with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists.

Angola and championship oldest player, 39 year-old, Irene Guerreiro proved that women basketball player gets better with age as she led her team with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 block-shots with Sonia Guadalupe contributing 12 points and 4 rebounds.

Angola will take on Nigeria while Mali battle Tunisia Wednesday to earn a respectable placement in group-B.

FIBA Africa