Senegal end Angola's title defence and advance to Final

YAOUNDE (AfroBasket Women 2015) - Astou Traore has propelled Senegal to the Final of AfroBasket Women 2015, in a 56-54 upset of defending champions Angola in Friday's Second Semi-Final in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Traore, looking to win her first African championship, finished with 17 points as Senegal set up a Final against tournament hosts Cameroon.

Turning Point: Senegal led from start to finish, but almost spoiled their chances as Angola rallied from a 15-point deficit in the third quarter to tie the contest at 54 with 30 seconds left to play.  

Stats Don't Lie: Senegal's 35-24 half-time lead proved valuable for the Western Africans, but the Angolans spoiled their own chances, especially by missing easy layups in the final quarter.

Game Hero: Traore was 5 of 9 from the field, but it was her two free-throws in the final nine seconds of the game that allowed Senegal to celebrate their first defeat of Angola since 2011.

Bottom Line: The win ends Angola's aspirations of becoming the first African team to win three consecutive continental titles. Senegal stepped out onto the court ready for battle and led throughout the contest. But unlike their Group Phase meeting which Angola won in the final seconds, Moustapha Gaye's team came up ready this time around.

Senegal's Oumoul Thiam said after the game: "Angola is a great team, it was tough to beat them. They came back in the game because they are the champions and wanted this win badly."

FIBA