Mali and Mozambique in dominant form

ANTANANARIVO (2015 FIBA Africa U16 Women's Championship) - Mali and Mozambique cruised past their opponents on Day 2 of the FIBA Africa U16 Women's Championship.

Reigning champions Mali, coming off a 77-50 success against Mozambique on Saturday, hammered Tunisia 81-53.

Mali led 13-11 in a balanced first quarter. 

However, the reigning champions edged in front and outscored their opponents 23-13 in the second period as they made the most of second-hand opportunities to take a 36-24 lead at halftime.

Things were much the same in the second half with the Malians hitting from mid-range to lead 60-36 at the end of the third quarter and stayed in firm control in the final period.

Mali dominated inside, scoring 24 points in the paint and also got 16 points off of fastbreaks.

Salimatou Kourouma had 16 points and 10 rebonds, while her teammate Rokia Doumbia added 12 points.

Tunisia's Marwa Shili had a game-high 20 points and 9 rebonds but could not prevent Mali from running away with a comfortable victory.

Meanwhile, Mozambique smashed Rwanda 96-22 to clinch their first win of the tournament.

The 2013 third-place team gave no chance to debutantes Rwanda, outscoring them 21-4 in the first quarter.

What seemed to be a bad start soon turned into a nightmare for Rwanda who reached halftime trailing 37-9.

Rwanda could not avoid the knockout as the second half only served as a demonstration for Mozambique to prove its dominance in every aspect of the game.

Mozambique had 62 points in the paint as they dominate inside.

Chanaya Pinto led all scorers with a game-high 23 points, with Madina Camara adding 20.

Bella Murekatete had 10 points to pace Rwanda.

Elsewhere, debutantes Nigeria continued to impress, by picking up their second win in row with a 60-53 defeat of Madagascar in the most balanced game of the day.

The Nigerians were up  13-8 at the end of the first quarter and with both teams scoring 15 points each in the second period, they held on to that five-point lead at halftime, 28-23.

With the fans cheering them on, hosts Madagascar fought back and took a 43-40 edge heading into the final quarter.

However, Rita James and Akinbode James came off the bench to provide a boost for Nigeria who came away with the win.

Nigeria's Lucy Chinelo IBEH had game-highs of 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Sariaka Totofidy and Elina Ranarisaona had 15 points and 12 points respectively to lead Madagascar in the losing cause.

Go to http://u16madagascar2015.fibaafrica.com/index.php/en for full coverage of the 2015 FIBA Africa Women's U16 Championship.

FIBA