Nigeria top Mali to clinch fifth straight AfroBasket title

Nigeria - Mali 78-64

Nigeria defended their AfroBasket title. They beat Mali to capture the fifth straight trophy. Kalu Ezinne (173-G-1992, college: SSU) posted 20 points to pace the champions.
Mali looked solid in the first quarter. They sank 26 points to open a 5-point lead at the first break. Nigeria however denied the deficit in the second term to tie things up at 41. Nigeria surged ahead in the third term. They entered the fourth stanza up by five points. Nigeria limited their opponents to just 8 points in the fourth period and raced to yet another AfroBasket trophy. Amy Okonkwo (188-F/C-1996, college: TCU) came up with 19 points and 9 rebounds for the champions. Sika Kone (190-F-2002) replied with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Sira Thienou (183-G-2004) and Djeneba N’Diaye netted 12 points apiece in the loss.