BAMAKO (Mali) - Algeria champions Groupment Sportif Petrolier (GSP) extended their winning streak on Saturday after beating Guinea's SLA 96-50 to stay undefeated in two games of Group A of Division West of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers in Bamako.

It was the Algerians' high-scoring performance in the four-team tournament after outclassing Al Nasare of Libya 106-80 in Friday's Group A opener.

GSP arrived in the Malian capital as one the most regular contender at international competition, and their prowess, experience and high-class was confirmed as they outclassed Guinea champions SLAC from start to finish. 

Hichem Benayad-Cherif (GSP)

After a nail-biting win over hosts AS Police on Friday, it was expected a lot more from SLAC, but the Algerian outfit never allowed it to happen as they went on a rampant dominating all aspects of the game, and a 49-point led really came as no surprise. 

While Asselain Serge Pohohoulou became the only SLAC player to score in double digits, his 13 points were thwarted by three GSP who scored 13 points or more each.

After finishing with a game-high on Friday, Hichem Benayad-Cherif contributed eleven points, Michael Koibe who had 15 on Day-1, added 13, Abdellah Hamdini scored one more point than his 18 the day before and finished with 16, three more points than he scored against Al Nasare. 

Individual performances aside, GSP proved too strong for SLAC, and the numbers speak for themselves: GSP's bench outscored SLAC's 42-18, they also moved the ball a lot better than their opponent, finishing with a 25-12 assists advantage, and to make matters worse for SLAC, GSP ruled the painted area out-rebounded their opponents 53-41.

Dioumba Mara (SLAC)

With the win, GSP increased their chances of finishing their Group A campaign undefeated.

However, GSP will face another test on Sunday as they take on Mali's AS Police, who saw off Al Nasare 79-71 in Saturday's second game.

Benke Diarouma (AS Police)

Even though Donald Cole and Ibrahima Thomas combined for 46 points - more than half of Al Nasare's 71 points, AS Police knew beforehand they faced a do-or-die situation, and therefore, they came up determined to turn things around.

Benke Diarouma came up with his A-game finishing 20 points and 17 rebounds, Timothy Steed added 18 points off the bench, and Papa Tandina and Malcolm White combined for 22 points in the winning cause. 

It was a balanced match as the 14 leading chances suggest, but at the end of the regulation, AS Police kept their BAL dreams very much alive while Al Nasare sunk their own aspirations in the competition. 

Donald Cole (Al Nasare)

Group A's action resumes Sunday with a must-watch match between GSP against AS Police while Al Nasare will try to deny SLAC.

The teams that finish in the first two places of Group A advance to the BAL 'Elite 16'.

FIBA