YAOUNDE (AfroBasket Women 2015) - Cameroon, the hosts of AfroBasket Women 2015, had a slow start to clinch their first win in the tournament, beating Mozambique 68-54 in the last game of Group A on Thursday.
Turning Point: After trailing by as many nine points, Priscilla Mbiandja made Cameroon’s solo three-pointer of the game with a minute left in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 39-38. Then team captain Amina Njonkou hit a layup, and Cameroon never trailed again.
Deolinda Ngulela and Ingvild Mucauro combined for 34 Mozambique points, but the game belonged to the hosts.
Game Hero: Mbiandja had a poor start to the game, turning the ball over three times before the break, but she re-emerged as the game-changer, making Cameroon’s only three-pointer that denied Mozambique.
Bottom Line: Struggling at all aspects of the contest, Cameroon never looked like a title contender. And ball handling proved a challenge for the hosts who finished with 25 turn-overs.
While Mozambique instilled a fast-paced rhythm, Cameroon seemed slow and passive at both ends of the floor.
Alain Zedong’s team was fortunate to trail only by three points (30-27) at half-time.
Clearly, taller and more athletic than Mozambique, Cameroon missed shots after shots in the paint.
But, they regrouped in the third quarter to close out a must-win contest.
Back in 2013 in Maputo, Mozambique and Cameroon performed a breathtaking Semi-Final. At the time the hosts ended up winning it the contest and secured qualification for the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women.