POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Modibo Niakate
Mali - Burkina Faso 71:70 (OT)
Mali snatched a narrow overtime win over Burkina Faso in the classification round of 2013 AfroBasket. Modibo Niakate (185-G-81, agency: Fusion Sports, college: Cleveland St.) stepped up with 20 points, 6 boards and 4 assists to lead the winners.
Burkina Faso surged ahead in the opening frame. They rallied to a 19:11 advantage after ten minutes. Mali cut the deficit in the second frame. They tied things up at 28 after twenty minutes. Burkina Faso stepped on the gas in the third term. They regained the advantage and entered the fourth quarter up by 5 points 49:44. But Mali rescued the game. Ibrahima Haidara (92) and Modibo Niakate even put Mali in front 64:63 with 50 seconds remaining. But Derek Durham (177-PG-74, college: Wisc.-Milwaukee) answered with a free throw and forced overtime. Burkina Faso enjoyed a 70:67 lead with under two minutes left in extra period. But Ibrahima Haidara sank a jumper and Modibo Niakate converted two free throws to seal the victory for Mali. Mohamed Tangara (208-F/C-84, college: Arizona) finished with 17 points, while Ibrahima Haidara added 14 points and 11 boards for the winning side. Derek Durham answered with 18 points for Burkina Faso. Moussa Ouattara (202-C-88) had 17 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
Mali: Modibo Niakate 20, Mohamed Tangara 17, Ibrahima Haidara 14+11 boards
Burkina Faso: Derek Durham 18, Moussa Ouattara 17+10 boards
