RADES(AfroBasket 2015) - Cape Verde outplayed Cote d'Ivoire in the first game of Thursday's AfroBasket 2015 action, winning 76-56 in Rades, Tunisia.
The islanders, paced by an electrifying Jeff Xavier, led throughout the entire contest, leaving Cote d'Ivoire unable to execute effectively.
Xavier came off the bench to pour in a game-high 19 points as three other Cape Verdeans scored in double figures, including Ivan Almeida, Dimitry Coronel and Mario Correia.
The islanders, paced by an electrifying Jeff Xavier, led throughout the entire contest, leaving Cote d'Ivoire unable to execute effectively.
Xavier came off the bench to pour in a game-high 19 points as three other Cape Verdeans scored in double figures, including Ivan Almeida, Dimitry Coronel and Mario Correia.
Turning Point: As much as Cote d'Ivoire tried, the contest was never within their reach.
Stats Don't Lie: Souleyman Diabate was the only Ivorian to score in double digits, finishing with a dozen points. As a team, they turned the ball over 29 times, leaving head coach Hugues Occansey with some extra work to do for the remainder of the tournament.
Cape Verde meanwhile made a tournament-high 13 three-pointers.
Game Hero: Veteran shooter Correia hit four of eight three-point attempts, sparking Cape Verde to 47-22 lead.
The Bottom Line: The win was a real statement of Cape Verde's position in Group D, which also includes Algeria and Zimbabwe. More than trouncing the 'Elephants', Cape Verde displayed an impressive ball movement as well a scoring efficiency. The islanders are a team to be reckoned with in the tournament, while Cote d'Ivoire need a lot of work to remain alive in the competition.
Stats Don't Lie: Souleyman Diabate was the only Ivorian to score in double digits, finishing with a dozen points. As a team, they turned the ball over 29 times, leaving head coach Hugues Occansey with some extra work to do for the remainder of the tournament.
Cape Verde meanwhile made a tournament-high 13 three-pointers.
Game Hero: Veteran shooter Correia hit four of eight three-point attempts, sparking Cape Verde to 47-22 lead.
The Bottom Line: The win was a real statement of Cape Verde's position in Group D, which also includes Algeria and Zimbabwe. More than trouncing the 'Elephants', Cape Verde displayed an impressive ball movement as well a scoring efficiency. The islanders are a team to be reckoned with in the tournament, while Cote d'Ivoire need a lot of work to remain alive in the competition.
By: FIBA.com
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