The Ivorians, already qualified for the next round, displayed full offensive prowess in this thrilling encounter against a Malagasy side that was equal to the task. Assemian Moulare continued in his great form as he recorded 23 points and 9 assists in just 26 minutes of play.
Last Updated on
July 15, 2026
The start of the game set a precedent for what was to come. Jerry Rabibbisoa opened the account with a three-pointer for Madagascar. That three-pointer was erased by a three-pointer from Assiaman Moulare in the very next possession. Thereafter, the Elephants went on a 12-0 run where David Gassaud and Moulare shot from deep and Ulrich Kra added four points.
Sitraka joined the party when he scored four points for Madagascar and assisted M'Madi for a three. Despite this run, there was a constant disruptor in Moulare who continued to make it look easy despite the great defensive efforts and tough covers from Madagascar. The JCA Kings guard, Jonathan Cisse, proved to be a handful for the Malagasies as he was not only scoring but also dishing dimes.
The Ivorians increased the intensity and refused to settle for long shots, and this led to multiple trips to the line where they added to their tally while putting Madagascar in foul trouble. Nisre Zouzoua showed his offensive arsenal when he scored some tough shots. The first quarter ended at a whopping 34-24 in favor of the Ivorians. Moulare scored ten points for Côte d'Ivoire while Sitraka scored nine for Madagascar.
The Elephants started the second quarter with the same intention - to dominate the paint. This led to a foul on Aboubacar Traoré who converted both his free throws. Ellly Randriamampionona eventually found his range when he sank a three to announce that the Malagasies were not done. They then used the Ivorians' tactics to draw fouls with their second trip to the line in the opening two minutes of the quarter and Austin Rasolonjatovo made sure by sinking both to make it a six-point game.
JJ Dally put a stop to this run with a three for the Ivorians. However, they either could not maintain their defensive discipline or the Malagasies just attacked the paint with more vigour. They scored their next five points from the line and put the Ivorians in foul trouble with six minutes to go in the quarter. It was once again the precision shooting of the Ivorians that got them out of the mud with a three from none other than Moulare.
Both teams continued to play smothering defense while exchanging blows and getting to the line. It became evident that neither team would have an easy shot when JP Dally drew a foul on a three-point attempt and made sure on the line to go 3/3. However, the Ivorians were caught fouling often and this kept Madagascar in the game with 13 free throws scored in just the second quarter. However, David Gassaud ensured that the Ivorians remained in control to edge out the Malagasies at 62-55 at the half.
Both teams picked up in the third quarter exactly how they left off in the second with end-to-end baskets in quick succession. Mathis M'Madi also exploited the high intensity when he slowed the game down to draw a foul and convert both his free throws. Madagascar, through a great offensive display by M'Madi, managed to cut the deficit to four points. Again, in true Ivorian fashion, they stopped this run with a three-pointer but this time by Zouzoua before adding another by Moulare.
Kiady Razanamahenia stuck to the game plan and drew yet another foul to go to the line where he was perfect. The Ivorians then restrategised and went on a 6-0 run to get the lead back up to 14. Four of those points were scored by Aboubacar Traoré who was a menace in the paint. Madagascar then went on a 6-0 run that was initiated by dunk from Landric Rakotonanahary. Like clockwork, the Ivorians stopped this run with another three by Zouzoua. The Malagasies went on a 7-2 run to close out the quarter and only train by six with the score at 85-79
This was a high scoring game and the two questions were whether both teams would crack the century ceiling and who would take the victory. Austin Rasonlonjatovo opened the fourth quarter with a lay up to make it a four-point game. David Gassaud had other plans in mind as he connected from downtown. This paved the way for JP Dally to also deliver another bomb from downtown. Moussa Kone then threw down a ferocious dunk to get the crowd on its feet. Junior Outtara continued the onslaught with a three-pointer for the Ivorians that took them back up by 15 from what was a four-point game just a few minutes prior. This prompted a much needed timeout from Madagascar that looked lackluster during this Ivorian run.
The next half of the quarter was just as exciting. Moussa Kone was unstoppable in the paint with a jump shot. Thereafter, Marco Rakotovao scored a three to cut the deficit for the Malagasies. Côte d'Ivoire continued with their impressive shooting performance with back-to-back three-pointers by David Gassaud and JP Dally to make it a 20-point game, break the century ceiling and deliver what was supposed to be the dagger.
However, Madagascar had more fight in them as Sitraka threw down a sunk and M'Madi drew a foul on the perimeter and proceeded to drain all three free throws. Kevin Yebo had a put-back lay up after securing the offensive rebound. Sitraka wasted no time to score a lay up on the other side with an assist from M'Madi. M'Madi then stole the ball o a bad pass and scored a reverse lay up on the fast break before splitting the pair on the free-throw line.
Madagascar then called a timeout to and returned with a perfectly executed ATO play for Marco Rakotovao who scored a lay up to make it 106-96 with two and a half minutes to go. Assemian Moulare was not done as he scored another three-pointer to add to his already impressive tally and extend the lead for the Ivorians. They continued to dominate the boards as JP Dally scored a out-back lay up. Marco Rakotovao then pulled up for three and drained it to bring Madagascar one point away from the elusive century.
It was Sitraka's lay up that took the Malagasies over the century mark. Neither team was done even with 30 seconds to go as Ulrich Kra ran off on a fast break to score an uncontested lay up. M'Madi then drew a foul but split he pair. The last shot was for the Ivorians as JP Dally sank a three to close the game at 118-102 in favor of the Ivorians.
This high scoring game also marked the end of the road for the Malagasies as they missed out on the qualification to the next round after a winless campaign. However, they proved what they are capable - scoring 100 points against an experienced side like Côte d'Ivoire. M'Madi and Sitraka had great games with 22 and 23 points each, respectively. The Ivorians have now secured their place in the next round with a 5-1 record and a great offensive performance. Moulare had 23 points and nine assists while Gassaud added 21 points and Dally 19.
[Photography and Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]
