U16 AfroBasket Women: Mali are Semi-Final Bound After Defeating Angola 57-41

The game got off to a very slow start. Mali missed at point-blank range, while Angola could not take care of the ball. The deadlock was broken after a minute and a half. It was Mali’s Dié Sarr who scored on a drive. Angola’s turnover woes continued as they lost the ball again and could not secure the defensive rebounds, and Mali pounced on this as Assan Dakouo scored on a put-back, got an And-1, and completed the three-point play.

There were more turnovers and even more squandered opportunities from both teams. Angola still struggled to keep possession, and Mali got traveling violation calls against them. Mali continued to score in drips and drabs and were up 12-0 with Angola’s first point coming at the six-minute mark. Angola began to find their rhythm and managed to close the quarter off just ten points behind Mali at 18-8.

Mali opened the second quarter with a free throw before both teams began to trade baskets. Angola went on a 7-0 run to make it 23-17, courtesy of a three-pointer by Alicia Muondo. Mali responded with a 5-0 run to keep Angola at bay.

The lid was closed on Angola as they hit a brick wall and were unable to score. Alegria Tayeye then got awarded two free throws but split the pair. It was not long before Mali’s Coumba Guindo found her range and sank a three.

Alicia Muondo kept Angola in the game when she split a pair of free throws and got her rebound to make a turnaround jump shot. She followed this up with a fastbreak lay-up. The quarter came to an end as Angola began to build momentum. Mali went into the break with a 34-25 lead.

The second half got off to a defensive masterclass from both sides, as well as some complacency, too, as both teams missed sitters under the rim. The game became increasingly physical as Mali’s Yahe Bagayoko was awarded two free throws and she converted both. These were the first points of the half after a two-minute deadlock. Angola then began to build some momentum as Luisa Servico drained a three-pointer to close the gap.

Despite this, Mali relied on the suffocating defense to keep Angola at bay even when their offense was lacking. The quarter was plagued with long moments of offensive output as both teams were terrific on defense especially towards the end. The quarter ended at 47-35 in favor of the Malians.

The fourth quarter left much to be desired as both teams were playing below their capabilities. They delivered little to nothing collectively on offense. This could be attributed to the level of physicality and the toll that it took on their bodies. It could also speak to the elevated defensive output. The game ended 57-41after Mali completely shut down Angola, limiting them to only 6 points in the quarter.

Alicia Muondo’s 15 points and 15 rebounds were not enough to propel her team to the semi-final, but she has sent a message that she deserves a seat at the table with the top players. Mariya Diawara led Mali in scoring with 15points, and Dié Sarr had 12 points and eight rebounds. The defending champions are now semi-final bound, where they will face the Ivory Coast.

‍

[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]