FIBA Africa Zone-III Qualifiers: Togo bow to Cote dIvoire 46-53

The ambition of Togo of making it to the 2011 FIBA Africa Championship for Men and the 10th All Africa Games got up to a slow start Tuesday as they go down to Cote dIvoire by 46-53 points in the opening game of the FIBA Africa Zone-III elimination here in Lome the Togolaise capital.
Cote dIvoire powered to an early lead picking the first two quarters 18-11 and 20-13 points to go into the break with a 14 points advantage of 38-24 points.

Sensing danger the Togolaise swung into full court press at the resumption of the third quarter which paid off as they rallied to a 16-09 points win thus reducing the margin separating them and the Ivoirien by seven point to enter the last quarter with a 40-47 points deficit but it was a resilient Cote dIvoire side who stood its ground in the final quarter which ended 6 points apiece for a final score-line of 53-46 points.

Cote dIvoire Alpha Quatiara provided a big cover for his team by grabbing 12 rebounds and 8 points his teammate Aboulaye Traore recorded 10 points. Togo Komi Kouigan led the court in scoring with 14 points while Mewan Doe-Bruce grabbed 11 rebounds.
Cote dIvoire continue its search for an All Africa Games tickets Wednesday with a game against Benin Republic at 17H00 while Togo will have its hands full against Nigeria at 19H00.