PRAIA (Cape Verde) - CRBT were under pressure in the first half, but a strong second half saw them prevail 74–63 against ASB New Generation, securing their place in Saturday's semi-final against Al Ahly Benghazi.
After New Generation dominated the first half, CRBT coach Moctar Habib found his team struggling on the bench and made some changes.
Bamba Diallo, Samba Fall and Teotonio Dó — three players with Basketball Africa League (BAL) experience — came off the bench and contributed a combined total of 40 points — more than half of the team's total.
Having fallen behind by double digits in the first half, CRBT staged an incredible comeback, combining aggressive defence with fast-break plays to turn things around.
Trailing 36–34 at half-time, the Malian champions went on a 12-0 scoring run to take a 46–36 lead at the start of the third quarter. They eventually entered the final quarter with a 52–50 lead, which the Congolese side never recovered.
'The start of the third quarter was definitely a game-changer for them,' said Carl Embo, who was 5 for 7 from deep to lead New Generation with 15 points. Gudul Omari contributed 13 points for AS New Generation.
Embo was unstoppable in the first quarter, shooting 4-for-4 from behind the arc and helping the Congolese champions establish a double figure lead.
He was so influential that when he was substituted with 2:30 minutes left, New Generation failed to score again, although the Congolese champions led 23–10.
Embo returned early in the second quarter, but CRBT were aware of the threat he posed and kept him scoreless until later in the fourth quarter.
CRBT's bench was fundamental, outscoring their opponents' 45–18.
This timely victory meant that Centre de Référence de Basketball de Tombouctou finished their West Division Elite 16 Group A campaign with a 2–1 record, before facing the front-runners, Al Ahly Benghazi, in the semi-finals.
The BAL dream remains intact for Tombouctou
FIBA