RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Angola defeated AfroBasket 2015 hosts Tunisia, 58-51, in Saturday's second Semi-Final in Rades, Tunisia.
The win not only ended Tunisia's five-game winning streak in the tournament, but it also spoiled their attempt to re-claim the continental trophy they first won in 2011.
The Angolans, paced by Carlos Morais, Eduardo Mingas and Yanick Moreira who combined for 48 points, led for all but 1:41 minute of the contest.
Makram Ben Romdhane paced the Tunisians with 12 points, Michael Roll added 10 but the Tunisians were unable to capitalise on the tireless support from the 12,000 strong home fans.
The win not only ended Tunisia's five-game winning streak in the tournament, but it also spoiled their attempt to re-claim the continental trophy they first won in 2011.
The Angolans, paced by Carlos Morais, Eduardo Mingas and Yanick Moreira who combined for 48 points, led for all but 1:41 minute of the contest.
Makram Ben Romdhane paced the Tunisians with 12 points, Michael Roll added 10 but the Tunisians were unable to capitalise on the tireless support from the 12,000 strong home fans.
Angola will face Nigeria in Sunday's Final, in a re-match of the title game at AfroBasket 2003.
The winner of the tournament will secure direct qualification for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, while the teams that come in second, third and fourth will secure places in next year's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTS).
Turning Point: Moreira's lay-up gave Angola a 4-3 lead early in the first quarter and the Angolans never trailed again.
Stats Don't Lie: Salah Mejri was a non-factor for the Tunisians as he finished with 2 points in 26:29 minutes. By the time Ben Romdhane fouled out midway through the fourth quarter, the reigning champions were out reach for the host natiion.
Game Hero: Mingas showed again that his 36 years of age are no more than just a number. He ran up and down the court for 24:30 minute and shot 7 of 11 (64 percent) from the field.
The Bottom Line: Tunisia entered the Semi-Finals averaging 70 points per game, but trailed 24-15 at half-time - the lowest half-time score in the last 50 years of the tournament. This perfectly summed up the hosts' struggles to score. They did use a 7-0 to start the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to 41-39, but Moncho Lopez cleverly called a timeout just in time to regroup the Angolans who reach the Final for the ninth time in a row.
The winner of the tournament will secure direct qualification for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, while the teams that come in second, third and fourth will secure places in next year's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTS).
Turning Point: Moreira's lay-up gave Angola a 4-3 lead early in the first quarter and the Angolans never trailed again.
Stats Don't Lie: Salah Mejri was a non-factor for the Tunisians as he finished with 2 points in 26:29 minutes. By the time Ben Romdhane fouled out midway through the fourth quarter, the reigning champions were out reach for the host natiion.
Game Hero: Mingas showed again that his 36 years of age are no more than just a number. He ran up and down the court for 24:30 minute and shot 7 of 11 (64 percent) from the field.
The Bottom Line: Tunisia entered the Semi-Finals averaging 70 points per game, but trailed 24-15 at half-time - the lowest half-time score in the last 50 years of the tournament. This perfectly summed up the hosts' struggles to score. They did use a 7-0 to start the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to 41-39, but Moncho Lopez cleverly called a timeout just in time to regroup the Angolans who reach the Final for the ninth time in a row.
By: FIBA.com
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