Mali Fall to Japan in 3rd Straight U17 Women's World Cup Defeat, 100-60

Mali Fall to Japan in 3rd Straight U17 Women's World Cup Defeat

Mali, Africa's eight-time U16 champions, are officially out of contention for the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024 title after falling to Japan in the round of 16.

The Moussa Nianze Bibi Dao-coached West Africans were defeated 100-60 in a one-sided encounter. Japan led from start to finish, with Mali briefly enjoying a 2-point lead in the opening minutes.

If there were doubts about Japan's dominance, Otoha Goto erased them with an uncontested three-point shot, giving her side a 5-4 lead. Japan's effective ball-sharing troubled Mali defensively, causing them to lose their early momentum and fall behind 29-15 in the first quarter.

Mali fought back in the second quarter, winning it 18-15, but their poor start left them trailing by 11 at halftime. Japan's 22-14 run in the third quarter extended the lead, making it difficult for Mali to catch up. Japan played their best quarter yet in the final stanza, dominating 34-13 to secure the victory.

Japan's performance was record-breaking as they handed out 31 assists, surpassing their previous high of 30 from six years ago. Sara Yamada was instrumental, becoming the first player to record double-digits in assists across multiple games in the same tournament, dishing out ten assists and narrowly missing a double-double.

Goto was Japan's top scorer with 20 points, adding five rebounds and three assists. Yui Seito (17 points), Arisa Ihara (12 points), and Kokona Suzuki (10 points) also contributed significantly.

Mali's effort was led by Assan Bagnine Mariko and Couda Keita, who scored 14 and 13 points, respectively. Japan capitalized on Mali's ball-handling mistakes, scoring nearly half of their points (44) off turnovers.

Relegated to the classification matches, Mali will face Egypt in a repeat of the FIBA U16 African Championship Final.

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[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]