Game Report: In the third game of the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Latvia, Cameroon showcased an initial burst of energy and determination. Still, they succumbed to Montenegro, 70-66. Despite their promising start, Cameroon's struggle from beyond the arc hurt their chances to win the game.
Last Updated on
July 3, 2024
Elango Mbotona
Staff Writer
In a fiercely contested game at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, the Cameroon men's basketball team was defeated by Montenegro 70-66 in a game characterised by stringent defences and a series of poor decisions by the Cameroonian squad. The final score underscored the defensive nature of the match, with Montenegro emerging victorious.
Right from the tip-off, both teams displayed their defensive capabilities. Montenegro’s game plan focused on neutralising Cameroon’s offensive threats, effectively limiting their scoring opportunities. The Cameroonian defence was equally robust, successfully challenging Montenegro's shooters and NBA star Nikola Vucevic making every point hard-earned. Despite their defensive efforts, Cameroon was hampered by numerous poor choices on offence. Turnovers were a recurring issue, with several unforced errors allowing Montenegro to regain possession easily. Furthermore, Cameroon struggled with shot selection, often taking low-percentage attempts that failed to find the mark.
The game's momentum shifted decisively in Montenegro's favour during the third quarter. Cameroon had an opportunity to close the gap, but a series of miscommunications and rushed shots squandered their chances.Montenegro capitalised on these errors, extending their lead to 10 points and maintaining control for the remainder of the game. Marko Simonovic was a standout for the Montenegro team dropping 18 points and 6 rebounds. Assisted by Vucevic who recorded a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Despite the loss, there were notable performances from theCameroonian side. Brice Eyaga stood out as top performer for the Cameroonian side with his defensive and offensive acumens, consistently disruptingMontenegro's offensive plays and securing crucial points. His efforts, however, were not enough to counterbalance the overall shortcomings of the team. Team Cameroon however had in total four players in double digits; Brice Eyaga, Ateba Fabien, Jordan Bayehe and Jeremaih Hill. Despite that much was expected from Jeremaih hill.
This defeat places Cameroon in a challenging position in their quest to qualify for the Olympics. To succeed in their remaining matches, the team must address their strategic errors and improve their decision-making under pressure. With the talent available, Cameroon still has the potential to make a strong comeback tomorrow against Brazil. With a four points deficit against Montenegro, Cameroon will have to secure an imposing victory againstBrazil to hope for a semi-final spot. Jordan Bayehe spoke to us about today's game as they prepare a new energy for Brazil.
It was a tough game we came prepared for the game but Montenegro was better than us. Despite the consistent double-team on Vucevic but it wasn't enough. We have another game tomorrow and of course we will have enough energy for Brazil.
The game against Montenegro highlighted significant areas for improvement for the Cameroon men's basketball team. The defensive battle showcased their strengths but also exposed critical weaknesses in decision-making and execution. Learning from this experience will be vital as they continue their campaign in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]
