Antananarivo (21st FIBA Africa Championship for Women) – Nine-time FIBA Africa Championship for Women champion, Senegal Saturday proved a champion stuff with a 75-54 points victory over Cote d’Ivoire in the 21st FIBA Africa Championship for Women at the Palais Des Sports, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Senegal began the quest for a place at the 2010 FIBA Championship in Czech Republic with a 16-14 points win in the first quarter, thought the young Ivorian side tried all within its capacity to fight back in the second quarter, the much it could achieve is tying the quarter with 12 points apiece.
The Senegalese Lioness and most successful team in Africa women basketball winning the title nine times in the last twenty editions came into the game after the break with greater zeal to carry the day opening up a 13 points lead of 29-18 points win in the third quarter to go into the last quarter with a 57-44 points advantage.
The Senegalese continued from where they left off in the third quarter to mount more pressure on Cote d’Ivoire in the last quarter making use of size and experience to out smart their opponent winning the quarter by
Senegal inspirational player, Aya Traore led the floor with 26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steal, Mame Sy added 15 points and 5 rebounds while Fatou Dieng contributed 12 points and 2 steal.
Cote d’Ivoire wonder-kid, Kani Kouyatr led her team with 22 points and 6 rebounds just as her elder sister and teammate, Mariama Kouyate recorded 13 points with Minata Fofana grabbing 9 rebounds.
The victory thus qualifies Senegal who is aiming at a tenth title a place in the 2010 FIBA World Championship slated for Czech Republic .