AfroBasket Qualifiers: South Sudan thump Morocco to extend winning streak in Africa
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 23.11.24. | 14:34
Morocco punished South Sudan's defense with four three-pointers in the first half, but were unable to protect their perimeter in the second, allowing 10 triples
South Sudan opened their AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers campaign with an 82-66 win over Morocco on Friday 22 November at Dakar Arena in Senegal.
It was South Sudan's sixth straight win in Africa, dating back to August 2022.
Kevin Franceschi scored the first points of Window 2 of the AfroBasket Qualifiers with a three-pointer before Morocco extended their lead to 5-0.
An efficient 🇸🇸 South Sudan team as the Bright Stars 🌟 convert 52% of their shots to ensure the win! 👏#AfroBasket #Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/SBiTgHLJ1L
— FIBA #AfroBasket (@AfroBasket) November 22, 2024
Junior Madut minimised South Sudan's damage, scoring the Bright Stars' first two points in the qualifiers with a drive to the basket.
Khalid Boukichou and Franceschi caused all sorts of troubles for South Sudan in the first half with the former contributing 9 and the latter leading all scorers with 12 points.
Atem Kuany Kuany gave South Sudan their first lead at 30-29 late in the second quarter.
South Sudan re-strategised in the second quarter, forcing Morocco out of their comfort zone before they headed to the locker room with a 36-34 lead.
Despite his foul trouble in the second quarter, Nuni Omot returned in the third quarter with a basketball clinic, hitting shot after shot to finish with 17 points. Madut proved equally crucial for the East Africans, contributing 15 points.
What goes around comes around. That was the second half's main takeaway from this game after Morocco punished South Sudan's defense with four three-pointers in the first half, but were unable to protect their perimeter in the second, allowing 10 triples.
It took South Sudan some time to adjust to Morocco's fast-paced style of play in the first half.
But, when Luol Deng - who returned to his head coaching role due to Royale Ivey's unavailability - ordered a more aggressive defense, Morocco could not cope with the South Sudanese's physicality in the paint.
Morocco and South Sudan return to their Group A action on Saturday with the former taking on DR Congo in a 2023 FIBA AfroCan Semi-Final rematch, while South Sudan will go up against Mali.
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