RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Senegal clinched a place in the Semi-Finals of AfroBasket 2015 with a comprehensive 75-58 win over Algeria.
Once again, Gorgui Dieng stood out with game-highs of 20 points and 17 rebounds as the Senegalese took a step closer to claiming their first continental title since 1997.
Cheikh Sarr's team reached the Semi-Finals for the second time in a row and will face Nigeria, a team they defeated in the Quarter-Finals of AfroBasket 2013.
Once again, Gorgui Dieng stood out with game-highs of 20 points and 17 rebounds as the Senegalese took a step closer to claiming their first continental title since 1997.
Cheikh Sarr's team reached the Semi-Finals for the second time in a row and will face Nigeria, a team they defeated in the Quarter-Finals of AfroBasket 2013.
In a match-up between two of the three teams that received wild cards to participate in the tournament, Algeria never led as the Western Africans dominated the contest throughout.
Mounir Benzagala, Mohamed Harat and Mehdi Cheriet combined for 35 points as the Algerians saw their dream of getting to the Semi-Finals for the first time since they hosted the event back in 2005 end abruptly.
With their place in the last four, Senegal know they will at least end up with one of three places in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, granted to teams that finish second, third and fourth at Africa's flagship event. The winner of the tournament secured direct qualification for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Turning Point: Algeria only trailed by five in the first quarter, but the Senegalese blew the game wide open in the third quarter with a 25-9 run.
Stats Don't Lie: Algeria's poor ball movement resulted in only 4 assists, against Senegal's 13. Algeria made only 7 of their 12 free-throws for 58 percent, not good enough for a team aspiring to reach the Semi-Finals.
Game Hero: Algeria's Cheriet did a bit of everything, but it turned out he lacked team support.
The Bottom Line: Algeria proved no match for the Senegalese who led by as many as 28 points in the third quarter. Senegal stepped onto the court determined to remain undefeated, and Sarr's plan worked to perfection as Algeria never really posed a threat.
Mounir Benzagala, Mohamed Harat and Mehdi Cheriet combined for 35 points as the Algerians saw their dream of getting to the Semi-Finals for the first time since they hosted the event back in 2005 end abruptly.
With their place in the last four, Senegal know they will at least end up with one of three places in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, granted to teams that finish second, third and fourth at Africa's flagship event. The winner of the tournament secured direct qualification for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Turning Point: Algeria only trailed by five in the first quarter, but the Senegalese blew the game wide open in the third quarter with a 25-9 run.
Stats Don't Lie: Algeria's poor ball movement resulted in only 4 assists, against Senegal's 13. Algeria made only 7 of their 12 free-throws for 58 percent, not good enough for a team aspiring to reach the Semi-Finals.
Game Hero: Algeria's Cheriet did a bit of everything, but it turned out he lacked team support.
The Bottom Line: Algeria proved no match for the Senegalese who led by as many as 28 points in the third quarter. Senegal stepped onto the court determined to remain undefeated, and Sarr's plan worked to perfection as Algeria never really posed a threat.
By: FIBA.com
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