Mali Dominates Cameroon 103-45, to Advance to U18 Women's AfroBasket Final

Mali stormed into the U18 Women’s AfroBasket finals with a commanding 103-45 win over Cameroon, taking control of the game from the first seconds. Their quick transitional play, marked by a series of easy layups, set the tone for a dominant performance. By the end of the first quarter, Mali had already established a massive 18-point lead, with the score sitting at 26-8.

Cameroon, facing relentless pressure from Mali's offense, attempted to adjust their defense, but the changes had little impact. Mali's size advantage, especially in the paint, created constant mismatches for Cameroon's centers, leading to more easy baskets. By halftime, the gap had widened, with Mali leading 40-20.

In the second half, Cameroon relied heavily on Emedie Damaris, who put up an impressive 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. However, her efforts were not enough to close the gap. Mali's sharp shooting and finesse around the rim continued, led by Oummou Koumare and Mama Doumbia, who both contributed 24 points each.

Despite the lopsided score, Cameroon’s journey to the semi-finals was a remarkable feat, especially considering this was their debut in the tournament. They surprised many by advancing through the group stage and into the final four. Although they fell short against Mali, Cameroon will still have a shot at the bronze medal in their next game against either Nigeria or Uganda.

Mali, now advancing to the finals, has proven to be a force to be reckoned with and the Malians are now poised for another title as they look to defend their crown.

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[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]

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