DAKAR (Senegal) - The Democratic Republic of the Congo secured their place in the next round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers with a 82-62 victory over Madagascar on Thursday at the Marius Ndiaye Stadium.
Coach Michel Perrin was pleased with his team's performance in Group B, as the win brings their overall record to 2-3 with two more games remaining: against Côte d'Ivoire on Saturday and against Senegal, the host country, on Sunday.
"The goal is to go to the third round, but not with two victories, because it will be tough to qualify (for the World Cup) with that. So we have to try with the remaining games," said Perrin, whose side triumphed in this fixture in the second window in February and March.
DR Congo relied on their physicality to score in the paint. Big man Flo Thamba proved to be a tough matchup for opposing defenders who tried to square up against him.
Apart from his 5-for-6 performance in the paint, which led to his 11 points, Thamba anchored his country's defense well, collecting seven rebounds from missed shots by Madagascar.
His ability to draw defenders into the key ensured that Congo could make crucial shots.
Shekinah Munanga led the game with 23 points. He was in peak form in the first half, showing his versatility by shooting 3/3 from the arc and 3/3 inside the paint. He finished the first half with 15 points, and Congo had a commanding 43-15 lead going into the second half.
"It's my job to make those shots when I am open. We moved the ball. We played a passing game today. If we do that in the next games, it will be a good thing for us," said Munanga.
The Congolese, who made 13/34 shots from three, found their scoring touch in the third quarter, with two from Germaine Kainde and solitary threes by Jonathan Jordan, Samson Elande, Noe Toto Cuma and Rolly Fula helping to either halt Madagascar's runs or stretch Congo's lead.
Interestingly, on the stats sheet, little separated the two sides, with Congo leading 14-11 in turnovers; the encounter was tied (14-14) on fastbreak points, Madagascar 14-11 on second-chance points, and the islanders dominated 36-30 points in the paint.
Congo's dream continues, while Madagascar's campaign hangs in the balance.
FIBA