Cote d’Ivoire stun Cameroon to top Group A
BAMAKO (FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2017) – Djefarina Diawara sunk a game high 18 points to guide Cote d’Ivoire to a 57-54 win over Cameroon on Saturday at the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maiga in Mali.
BAMAKO (FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2017) – Djefarina Diawara sunk a game high 18 points to guide Cote d’Ivoire to a 57-54 win over Cameroon on Saturday at the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maiga in Bamako, Mali.
The 22-year old was unstoppable in the paint, driving to the hoop and leading her side on offense and indeed it paid off eventually with the Ivorians securing their second straight win in the tournament.
Cameroon led for the first two quarters 14-11 and 27-23 in that order but good and solid defense from Cote d'Ivoire in the third period saw them limit their opponents to just nine points.
The win means that Cote d'Ivoire are top of Group A with four points tied with Angola but the West Africans have a better plus minus at 50 compared to Angola's 31.
Reigning champions Senegal overcame Mozambique 76-67 to record their second win at the competition and stay on track to defend their title.
Astou Traore sunk a game high 29 points while Aya Traore and Mame Marie Sy added 15 and 11 points apiece.
Meanwhile, Egypt improved their win ratio to 2-0 at the tournament when they made light work of Guinea 109-78.
Menatalla Awad scored 20 points and picked seven rebounds to lead the Egypt charge and ensure they are firmly in the lead in Group B, ahead of second-placed Nigeria who also have four points.
Simone Gnaraba Keita posted an impressive double double with 14 rebounds and 10 points but her efforts did not go a long way in helping Guinea secure victory. Guinea are winless so far.
Nigeria looked the part when they saw off DR Congo 84-47 for a second consecutive victory and one leg into the Quarter-Finals.
Forward Ndidi Madu once again fouled out but this was after she scored five points as teammate Jennifer Atonye Nyingifa, Upe Atosu and Nkechi Akashili scored 13, 12 and 11 points respectively.
Earlier in the day, Houda Hamrouni inspired Tunisia to a 96-51 win over Central African Republic as the North Africans registered their first win at the tournament.
FIBA