DAKAR (Senegal) - Senegal delighted their fans on Saturday night with a resounding 99-66 victory over Madagascar in the Group B game of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers.
Seeking redemption after losing 90-80 to Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday, Senegal dominated their opponents. Madagascar started strongly at the packed Marius Ndiaye Gymnasium, keeping up with their opponents in the early stages.
However, they were ultimately outmatched and could only keep up with Senegal until midway through the second quarter, when the score was tied at 29–29.
We wanted to come out and play together as a team." -
Brancou Badio
The Brancou effect
Brancou Badio was the X-factor for Senegal against Madagascar.
Although he arrived on Friday, a day after the opening loss to Côte d'Ivoire, on Saturday he proved to be the glue that held the Lions of Teranga together.
He conducted the team on Saturday night, and his on-court presence helped Senegal dismantle Madagascar.
Badio had scored 21 points - on a 8-for-16 shooting including a 5-for-10 from deep - grabbed three rebounds and made four assists.
"We wanted to come out and play together as a team. I feel the last game we didn't play well as a team. In this game, we did that, we played together and came out with the win," said Badio.
Coach Sagana Diop felt that Badio highlighted the presence of Badio in the team. "If you miss your best player, you are going to feel it. Even if I feel we have enough to win the game, there are just things he does on and off the court, and he is our leader, and the guys follow him," said Diop.
The others found their rhythm
Cheered by the boisterous fans and with their captain on the court, Senegal players like the mercurial Jean Jacques Boissy and Babacar Sane settled in and made valuable contributions. Boissy scored 17 points, made four assists and six steals, while Sane scored 12 points.
Big man Gora Camara used his height and physique well in the paint as he scored 10 points for the dominant Senegal.
Senegal's defence lockdown Madagascar
As Senegal's defence made all the difference for the team. They had five blocks as a unit and forced 20 turnovers going into the fourth quarter. Senegal finished the game with 15 steals and 32 defensive rebounds.
"I told the team our best offence is our defence. With the score at 29-26, I challenged the team during a time-out to play better defensively. So that's what it is, we got to play better defensively," said Diop.
With a game remaining and their leader back with the team, the Lions of Teranga will look to finish their opening window campaign by giving their fans a win against the Congo DR.
FIBA