Game Report: South Sudan’s Bright Stars pulled off another stunning comeback, defeating Mali 85-60 on Gameday Two of the FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers. Now 2-0, the Luol Deng-coached side showcased dominance with bench power and relentless second-half play.
Last Updated on
November 23, 2024
Africa's number one team, South Sudan's Bright Stars, continued to prove why they are the top-ranked team in the continent, seeing off Mali in yet another comeback victory on day two of the FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers Window 2, ongoing in Dakar.
The Luol Deng-coached side recovered from another slow start as if reading from their Game One script, where they came back against Morocco for an 82-66 win on Friday, to pick an 85-60 victory that leaves them undefeated in Group A.
Kuany Atem Kuany, Dhieu Abwok Deing and Junior Madut led the charge for Bright Stars on 17, 13 and 12 points, respectively, in a game that their side dominated the paint for 40-16 and 48-11 on bench points as the top two scorers came off the bench.
"We played a good game, started a bit slow as Mali did a good job of taking what we were giving them. We wanted to keep them out of the paint and they responded. We made a few adjustments and in the second half my players started to feel the game and realized what to do and what to stay away from.
We started making good decisions too but overall we played good defense the entire game. Mali had some players making some good shots but we remained playing together as a unit," Deng said in the post-game press conference.
The charge for Alhadji Dicko's Mali was led by Tamandjan dit Youba Konate, who finished with a team-high 14 efficiency in 29 minutes, scoring 15 and adding six rebounds and three steals.
Nuni Omot got the action underway with a mid-range jumper. Still, his side was caught off guard as Mali scored three quick trebles, Youba Konate knocking down two in a 10-point run that saw the West Africans lead 13-02, Siriman Kanoute contributing the other trey.
Wenyen Gabriel and Madut cut the deficit by five but Ibrahim Djambo made sure Mali's double advantage remained, from behind the arc for 16-07. Deng Angok Yak Deng knocked a trey for Bright Stars to bring his side to within two baskets in a 19-15 first quarter.
Missed chances on both ends of the court characterised the opening five minutes of the second quarter. Bright Stars, however, capitalised on Mali's mistakes, Nyang Wek and Atem Kuany's combining for 10 points to bring Deng's charges level to 25 points.Omot's layup gave South Sudan the lead for the first time with 4:30 to play, finishing the period with a 24-13 performance to head to the halftime break holding a seven-point advantage.
"You never want to start slow but with the way these windows are we are asking a lot from players that have not been playing together. We are not fielding the same unit every competition as we want as many of our players to get an opportunity to play and those slow starts with such a squad are expected. I don't want them to happen but it is how we respond that really matters. We see what is happening and we will try to work on that," Deng continued.
Bright Stars came off the locker rooms guns blazing, Jackson Makoi orchestrating a 14-07 run with back-to-back treys to see the side lead 53-39 halfway through the third period, a 25-15 show ensuring a 17- point cushion for the East African heading to the final quarter.
Despite the advantage, South Sudan fought for a 21-13 final stanza, taking another victory to remain perfect in their group.
"Conceding 26 points off turnovers says everything," Fousseyni Drame said "Yes we took a loss but all is not lost as we have one more match to compete as we look to qualify."
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
