Mali prevail against Madagascar

Nassira Traore

Mali - Madagascar 80:46
The AfroBasket defending champions Mali reached the semifinal stage of the tournament. They held off hosting Madagascar in the quarterfinal yesterday. Mali will now take on ambitious Angola with the World Championship birth on the stake. Madagascar will now take on Mozambique in the game for the 5th-8th spot.
Mali stormed into the game. They scored eagerly and earned an 18-point lead at the first break. Madagascar stopped the bleeding in the second stanza but could not seriously threaten the margin. They cut the deficit by just one point to trail 27:44 at halftime. The third frame brought little change in the game. The teams traded baskets and Mali entered the fourth quarter up by 17. Madagascar simply ran out of gas in the fourth term as Mali cruised to the win in the final minutes.
Nassira Traore (185-F/C-91) came up with 14 points for Mali. Miriam Sy (193-C-79, college: Oklahoma City) added 12 points and 12 boards, while Naignouma Coulibaly (192-C-89) knocked down 11 points in the win. Nahirae Solinasoa (C) responded with 11 points for Madagascar. Agne Rasoambolanoro (F) netted 8 points in defeat.

Mali: Nassira Traore 14, Miriam Sy 12+12 boards, Naignouma Coulibaly 11
Madagascar: Nahirae Solinasoa 11, Agne Rasoambolanoro 8