Tuesday
Group A
Cape Verde 32-57 Rwanda
Mozambique 57-45 Egypt
The national U18 girls’ basketball team yesterday overpowered struggling Cape Verde 57-32 to advance to quarter-finals as first runners-up of Group A in the ongoing FIBA U18 Women’s African Championships.
Following Sunday’s disappointing 56-43 loss to hosts Mozambique in their second game, Bella Murekatete-inspired Rwandan side defeat winless Cape Verde to record a second victory in the continental competition.
US-based Rwanda international Murekatete is one of the best players at the tournament.
Rwanda fired a warning call to Cape Verde early in the game, easily taking the first quarter 22-6 before the opponents upped their game in the second quarter, which ended 11-11.
However, Cape Verde could not hold out the FIBA Africa Zone V champions Rwanda who also dominated the third quarter 12-4 before sealing their win with a 12-11 fourth quarter.
Star center Murekatete, 17, posted a game high 34 points and 22 rebounds, one assist, three steals and three blocks.
Following the end of round-robin group stage games, Murekatete currently has tournament’s most (61) points, most (56) rebounds, most (5) blocks equal.
Meanwhile in another Group A game held on Tuesday, Mozambique stunned Egypt 57-45 to finish top of the group with a maximum six points. Rwanda finished second with five points followed by Egypt with four points while Cape Verde finished at the bottom with three points.
Each team will know their quarterfinal opponents after today’s Group B final matches as defending champions take on Uganda while Angola face DR Congo.
Mali are leading Group B with four points, same tally as second-placed Angola, while DR Congo and Uganda are third and fourth, respectively, each with two points.
The quarterfinals will start Friday with Group A leaders taking on Group B bottom finishers, Group B entertaining Group A bottom finishers, Group A first runners- up taking on Group B second runners-up while Group B first runners-up will face Group A second runners up.