CAIRO (Egypt) - Diouma Berthe dropped a game high 33 points as Mali cruised past hosts Egypt 68-55 to win their third straight game at the ongoing FIBA U18 Women's African Championship on Sunday.

Mali outscored Egypt in the first two quarters of the game to open up a double digit lead at the half time mark 40-25 but the hosts have themselves to blame after turning over the ball 17 times. Mali scored 16 points from turnovers by the break.

The hosts, who had the support of their families in the crowd, did not give up and instead came back stronger boxing out better and making better shot selections. 

Egypt scored 18 points while stepping up their defense to limit Mali to just 10 points in the third quarter bringing them within seven points of the game going into the last quarter. 

Mali were too strong for the hosts but Egypt left the court feeling much better than they did after their first game against the same team that ended 64-36. From losing by 28 points to 13 points is an improvement, at least according to Egypt captain Farida Mossad. 

Mossad believes Egypt are getting their groove

"We played much better than we did in the first game against Mali. We want to continue playing with this kind of attitude. We did not give up during the game even when they led by more than 10 points. We are getting better," Mossad told FIBA.basketball. 

Mali have now won three straight games and remain the only unbeaten at this competition as they look to defend their title. 

FIBA