Tunisia retain AfroBasket title after narrow 78-75 win over Ivory Coast
- 3 years ago
Tunisia overcame Ivory Coast 78-75 at Kigali Arena in the Rwandan capital on Sunday to retain the AfroBasket continental title they won on home soil four years ago.
Dirk Bauermann's side started slowly in the final, but soon found their stride and a 12-point run allowed 'The Eagles' to build up a 47-34 lead by half time.
The Ivorians fought back in the third quarter and closed to within four points - Tunisia pulled away again to lead by 11 in the fourth, but their opponents never gave up and in a nervy conclusion, the gap was cut to just three before time ran out.
Salah Mejri led the winners with a game-high 22 points, backed by 18 from Michael Roll and 10 from Omar Abada.
Souleyman Diabate, with 20, top scored for 'The Elephants', who lost for the first time in 17 outings.
Their long wait for an AfroBasket title continues - their last was back in 1985.
With the victory, Tunisia became the first team to win back-to-back AfroBasket titles since Angola achieved the feat in 2009.
Dirk Bauermann's side started slowly in the final, but soon found their stride and a 12-point run allowed 'The Eagles' to build up a 47-34 lead by half time.
The Ivorians fought back in the third quarter and closed to within four points - Tunisia pulled away again to lead by 11 in the fourth, but their opponents never gave up and in a nervy conclusion, the gap was cut to just three before time ran out.
Salah Mejri led the winners with a game-high 22 points, backed by 18 from Michael Roll and 10 from Omar Abada.
Souleyman Diabate, with 20, top scored for 'The Elephants', who lost for the first time in 17 outings.
Their long wait for an AfroBasket title continues - their last was back in 1985.
With the victory, Tunisia became the first team to win back-to-back AfroBasket titles since Angola achieved the feat in 2009.