Afrobasket:Rwanda bows out

Eighth Final RoundSenegal 67-57 RwandaTunisia 67-77 EgyptCape Verde 67-60 Congo-BrazzavilleMorocco 86-81 AlgeriaCameroon 75-42 MozambiqueIvory Coast 100-60 Burkina FasoAngola 82-36 Mali RWANDA men’s basketball team was bundled out of the 27th Africa Cup of Nations – Abidjan 2013 Afrobasket after losing the quarter final berth 57-67 to Senegal last night at the Palais des Sports Treichville, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. The Rwandans began the game on a bright note, clearing out a 2-0 scoring run to close the first half with a 35-33 point’s advantage as they won the first quarter by 15-13 and tied the second quarter 20-20 points. Senegal needed a strong second half to seal the victory. They posted a 14-7 tally in the third period and finished the game with a 20-15 run. Rwanda led 55:54 with 5 minutes to go, but Senegal needed a 13-2 run to seal the victory. Lack of concentration hampered Moise Mutokambali’s chances of reaching the last eight. Senegal’s power forward Abdou Badji showed his leadership as he top-scored for the winners with 20 points and made 8 rebounds while small forward Maleye N’Doye nailed 13. N’Diaye Hamady delivered 8, whilst Louis Adams had 7. Rwanda’s centre player Kami Kabangu produced 14 points and 12 rebounds, whilst Kenny Wilson had 12, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Lionel Hakizimana nailed 8, whilst Hamza Ruhezamihigo brought 7. Elsewhere, defending champion of the Africa Cup of Nations-Afrobasket Tunisia followed Rwanda in the exit chamber with a 67-77 points loss to five-time champions Egypt. Tunisia who finished top of group-B failed to reenact its 2011 tempo thus succumbing to the more determined Egyptian side that had good command of the game. Morocco landed a quarter-final slot after registering an 86-81 points win in over-time over Algeria after both sides ended regulation time with 72 points apiece. Lions of Cameroon recorded an emphatic 75-42 points over Mozambique while Cape Verde rallied to victory in the fourth quarter, the only quarter it won to defeat the Congolese by 67-60 points to secure a place in the quarter-final. The most successful team in Africa, Angola booked its place in the last eight by dominating the Eagles of Mali with an 82-36 win. Quarter finals action gets underway today.