Mali delivered the biggest upset win in the opening round of the 2019 FIBA Women’s African Basketball Championship (AfroBasket).
The West African nation scored a 71-63 win over former champions Angola as the 2019 edition of the continent’s showpiece event commenced on Saturday, August 10.
Senegal is hosting the competition in its new Dakar Arena and Mali got off to a start by handing Angola its first loss of the tournament.
Meiya Tirera was one of four Malian players to score in double figures. Tirera stole the show by adding 12 rebounds and four assists for a double double.
Veteran star Italee Lucas had a tough time scoring as she finished the game with nine points, five rebounds and seven assists in 33 minutes. Lucas missed a pair of field goal attempts, two of four three point shot attempts and four of seven free throw attempts.
Alexia Dizeko and Ngiendula Filipe scored 17 and 16 points respectively in the loss. Mali plays DR Congo on Tuesday, August 13 while Angola plays DR Congo later tonight.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
