Game Review: The FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024 group phase ended with Mali falling 84-47 to New Zealand. Bailey Flavell led with 19 points. Despite solid performances from Diarra and Samake, Mali now faces Japan in the round of 16 after finishing third in Group B.
Last Updated on
July 17, 2024
Kendi Mwiti
Staff Writer
The FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024 group phase concluded with African representatives Mali and Egypt facing rigorous challenges in their final group matches.
In their last Group B clash, Mali faced New Zealand, one of the more underrated countries in the tournament. Mali struggled against the Bailey Flavell-powered Islanders, ultimately succumbing to an 84-47 defeat. Flavell dismantled Mali's defence, scoring a game-high 19 points, while her teammate Keriana-Marie Te Ao Marama Hippolite contributed an impressive double-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.
Mali began the game competitively, recovering from an early 11-4 deficit to close the first quarter just four points behind at 13-9. However, their fortunes shifted dramatically in the second quarter. Despite narrowing the gap to 13-11 and 15-13 in the opening minutes, New Zealand responded with an unanswered 19-point run, putting Mali in a difficult position.
Assan Bagnine Mariko broke New Zealand's run with a hook shot just over two minutes before halftime, and Tenin Diarra added two more baskets. Nevertheless, Mali could only muster 10 points against New Zealand's 23 in the quarter, resulting in a significant deficit.
New Zealand maintained dominance in the second half, extending their lead with identical scores of 24-14 in the third and fourth quarters. Diarra emerged as Mali's top scorer with 13 points, four assists, three steals, and three rebounds. Aminata Samake also delivered a solid performance, scoring 12 points and adding three assists and two steals, though she fell two rebounds short of a double-double. Mariko led Mali in rebounding, securing ten boards and contributing 4 points, two steals, two blocks, and an assist.
After three group matches and one win over hosts Mexico, Mali finished third in Group B, which Italy and New Zealand dominated. As a result, Mali is now set to play classification games, starting with a match against Japan, who finished second in Group A, which Spain won.
Japan had a solid start to their campaign with a narrow 62-60 victory over Finland, followed by an 81-44 rout of Argentina. Despite a 67-60 loss to Spain in their final group match, the Natsumi Yabuuchi-coached side secured second place.
Mali's journey in the tournament now shifts to the classification rounds, where they will aim to finish the World Cup on a high note despite their early exit from the knockout stages.
[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]
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