ANTANANARIVO (Madagascar) - Senegal ended their 2022 FIBA U18 African Championship campaign in the 5th place after beating Guinea 66-53 on Saturday in Antananarivo.

A title contender, Senegal now have to be happy with a 5th place finish after they lost to Angola in the Quarter-Finals.

In their Classification Game, Guinea, who finished fourth in the 2020 edition of the tournament, gave Senegal a good run for their money.

The Senegalese started off with a strong display, catching the first quarter 11-6. They eventually followed pace in the second quarter, ending with a 9-point leading.

But Guinea came back in the game in the third quarter, making it even (36-36), forcing Senegal to a change of plans.

Mouhamed Faye, once again, rose to the occasion, and had a field day with a double-double. He helped Senegal get back the lead, and claimed a total of 31 points and 19 rebounds, also adding 5 steals and 1 block to his tally. Seydina Limamoulaye Faye also had a great day, with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Guinea resisted with Ibrahim Khalil Akir Souare's performance (20 points). But they were far from enough.

Earlier during the day, Algeria cleared off the challenge presented by Benin 90-54. The Northern Africans, who were eliminated by Egypt, have found back their winning ways to clinch the 7th place.

Benin did give them a hard time on the court. But Mehdi Bouhmama and his double-double (29 points, 14 rebounds). He topped it all with 3 assists and one block to call it a day. And he made it even better as he netted 15 out of his 19 free-throws. His teammate Zakariya Khodja also did give Benin a run as he homed in 15 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist.

Benin's Samoudine Moussa Yérima did a bit of everything to help his side with 15 points, and 8 rebounds, along with 3 assists and 2 steals. His teammate Zimé Nassif Mora Lafia also illustrated himself with 14 points and 4 rebounds.

FIBA