BANGKOK (Thailand) - Mali are celebrating a momentous and historic landmark after they lit it up against Latvia to become the first ever African nation to make the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup.

A blistering start against the previously undefeated Latvia paved the way for a famous 67-34 success in the Round of 16 as Sika Kone showed out with a spectacular double-double of 19 points and 22 rebounds.

"In today's game we decided to play with more intensity," stated the forward as Mali collected their first success in the Thai capital, having lost their opening three games before handing a knock-out blow to the Group A winners from Europe.

"It was good, we defended better and we played together, so we won and advanced to the Quarter-Finals for the first time.

"And, we definitely think we can go even further in this tournament. We just have to stick together and keep talking to each other."

There was also a super contribution from playmaker Fanta Kone as she handed out 11 assists, to smash the previous best of 7 during the tournament.

The win surpassed the previous best finish of 10th place at the event by an African team, achieved by Mali themselves during 1997 and following on from Senegal in 1985 and then DR Congo in 1993.

They will now play in the Quarter-Finals against Australia on Friday.

FIBA