Game Report: Kriol Star shined in their Elite 16 debut, crushing Bravehearts Basketball 89-58. Led by Kenneti Mendes’ double-double, the Cape Verdean squad displayed dominance, depth, and teamwork in a commanding performance that NBA fans won’t want to miss.
Last Updated on
November 28, 2024
Kriol Star made their intentions clear in their opening Elite 16 game with an 89-58 victory over Bravehearts Basketball. The Cape Verdean side granted a wild card entry by FIBA Africa, wasted no time proving their worth, leading for nearly 39 minutes in a performance that blended intensity and precision.
The tone was set early when Kenneti Mendes scored within the opening minute, sparking a relentless offensive assault. The Islanders had built a commanding 32-14 lead by the time the first quarter was winding down. A late basket from Faad Billy couldn’t stem the tide as Kriol Star established an early gap too wide for the Malawian team to bridge.
The second quarter further underlined Bravehearts’ struggles. While the Cape Verdeans maintained their rhythm, adding another 19 points to their tally, the Malawians could only muster six. By halftime, the game seemed out of reach, with Kriol Star leading 51-20.
A glimmer of hope came in the third quarter when Bravehearts finally found some offensive flow. Behind an 18-15 run, they managed to edge the Cape Verdeans in the quarter, but the margin barely dented the overall lead. Heading into the final period, Kriol Star remained firmly in control.
The fourth quarter saw more of the same, with both teams trading baskets. While Bravehearts showed fight with a 20-point effort, Kriol Star's consistency prevailed as they added 23 points to seal the win.
The key to Kriol Star's dominance lay in the numbers. They out-rebounded Bravehearts 55-34, controlled ball movement with 20 assists to their opponent's 14, and received critical contributions from their bench, which outscored the Malawians' reserves 31-16.
Kriol Star's depth individually shone through, with five players scoring in double figures. Jaylyn Richardson led the charge with 21 points, while Patrick McGlynn and Dieudonne Ndayisaba Ndizeye chipped in with 16 and 17 points, respectively. Helton Junior Lopes Correia provided a spark off the bench with 10 points, but Kenneti Mendes stole the show. His double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds epitomized the team's balance and effort.
Despite the loss, Bravehearts had commendable performances from Faad Billy, who scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds, Harrison Banda, with 11 and six rebounds, and Manello Munthali, who contributed 10 points. However, their efforts weren’t enough to overcome the early damage inflicted by Kriol Star.
Reflecting on the game, Mendes highlighted the importance of the team’s collective mindset and future focus.
“It was a good game, especially because we only arrived yesterday. We won by a good margin, but we’re looking further ahead, while taking one step at a time towards the BAL,” he remarked.
He emphasized the need for defensive intensity and efficient ball movement to achieve their goals in the tournament.
“We’re going to have to defend fiercely and turn the ball over. We want to be the best we can be, and we’ll do everything we can to get there.”
With this commanding win, Kriol Star has not only justified their wild card entry but also announced themselves as serious contenders in the Elite 16, with their eyes firmly set on reaching the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA Africa]