RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Playing in front of a sellout crowd at Salle Omnisport de Rades, on the outskirts of Tunis, hosts Tunisia defeated Mali 67-60 in Thursday’s last AfroBasket 2015 Quarter-Final to set up a Semi-Final battle with reigning champions Angola on Saturday.
As local fans cheered loudly for every right move their heroes executed, Mali responded even though they never led.
Mourad El Mabrouk led Tunisia with 16 points, Makram Ben Romdhane added a dozen and Tunisia improved to 5-0.
As local fans cheered loudly for every right move their heroes executed, Mali responded even though they never led.
Mourad El Mabrouk led Tunisia with 16 points, Makram Ben Romdhane added a dozen and Tunisia improved to 5-0.
The home side led by 19 in the second quarter, but Mali got back in the game in a flash and trailed just 33-24 at half-time.
Tunisia entered the final quarter up 46-35 before Mali cut the deficit to 62-56 with 32 seconds left, but it was too little late as the Tunisians had already a foot in the last four.
Turning Point: Tunisia led throughout the contest. Mali had some runs to close the contest, however, the hosts were in total control of the game.
Stats Don't Lie: Mali's 15 turnovers as well as their poor free-throw shooting - 10 of 17 for 59 percent - proved costly for a team bidding to reach the Semi-Finals for the first time since 1999.
Game Hero: With Salah Mejri continuing to struggle, El Mabrouk has become Tunisia's leader and he showed it again on Thursday as he spent more time on the court (33 minutes and 18 seconds) than any other player.
The Bottom Line: Even though Tunisia are a low-scoring team, they remain undefeated. They entered the Quarter-Finals averaging 71 points per game - from the previous four games -, and Mali's aggressiveness limited them to just 67 points, their lowest ouput in the competition so far. The team's inspirational leader Mejri finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in 16:39 minutes as he fouled out with 2:39 left to play. Mali didn't seem intimidated by the rowdy home crowd and competed throughout.
Tunisia entered the final quarter up 46-35 before Mali cut the deficit to 62-56 with 32 seconds left, but it was too little late as the Tunisians had already a foot in the last four.
Turning Point: Tunisia led throughout the contest. Mali had some runs to close the contest, however, the hosts were in total control of the game.
Stats Don't Lie: Mali's 15 turnovers as well as their poor free-throw shooting - 10 of 17 for 59 percent - proved costly for a team bidding to reach the Semi-Finals for the first time since 1999.
Game Hero: With Salah Mejri continuing to struggle, El Mabrouk has become Tunisia's leader and he showed it again on Thursday as he spent more time on the court (33 minutes and 18 seconds) than any other player.
The Bottom Line: Even though Tunisia are a low-scoring team, they remain undefeated. They entered the Quarter-Finals averaging 71 points per game - from the previous four games -, and Mali's aggressiveness limited them to just 67 points, their lowest ouput in the competition so far. The team's inspirational leader Mejri finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in 16:39 minutes as he fouled out with 2:39 left to play. Mali didn't seem intimidated by the rowdy home crowd and competed throughout.
By: FIBA.com
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