Friday, November 22

Group C

Rwanda 58-81 Senegal

Rwanda started the second window of the Africa Basketball championship (AfroBasket) qualifier on a low after losing to Senegal 58-81 on Friday night at Dakar Arena.

The win powered the hosts to the top of Group C of the qualifiers which run until Sunday, November 24.

Point guard Brancou Badio was exceptional offensively, leading the Teranga Lions with a team-high of 14 points, 7 rebounds while dishing out 7 assistants. Ndoye, meanwhile, played the destroyer role, shooting 4-for-6, mostly thunderous dunks to finish with 14 points.

Amar Sylla also made his presence felt with a 2-for-2 shooting from behind the arc in the first half before sinking one more triple to finish with 11 points.

Rwanda held on in the first and second quarters, causing all sorts of disruptions to Senegal's defense, especially William Robeyns who was 4-for-4 from behind the arc to lead all players in scoring with 12 points at the end of the first half.

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But Senegal head coach DeSagana Diop came up with a different plan in the second half, forcing Robeyns to go 0-2 from behind the three-point line. Even so, Robeyns signed out with a team-high 12 points as he failed to shoot again.

Badio and Sylla may have been the game-changers but Senegal fans continue to remind everyone why they are some of the most enthusiastic and difference-makers on the continent.

Equipped with drums, and other traditional local instruments, dressed in the country&039;s yellow-red-green colours, they chanted throughout the game and, by the final whistle, they received a well-deserved applause from their heroes, some of whom stood for pictures with their supporters.

Senegal led by 14 at some point in the second quarter and went for break with a 12-point lead (43-31), and despite Cheikh Sarr's halftime team talk, the Senegalese were on a mission, cruising to 23-point victory. Senegal's 53-34 rebounding advantage told the story of the game.

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It was only a matter of time until Senegal took control of the game on both ends of the floor. And when they did take over, the Teranga Lions outclassed Rwanda in all aspects of the game.

Rwanda's newest addition, Antino Jackson was 0-for-7 from the floor, finishing with one point and seven assists.

Rwanda returns to action on Saturday, November 23, against Cameroon.