DAKAR (Senegal) - In basketball, the saying goes, "Defense wins championships." While this wasn't a championship clash, Senegal made FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers history with their defensive heroics.
On Thursday night, the Lions of Teranga set a FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers record against fellow West Africans Côte d'Ivoire in their Group B match.
In a massive defensive effort in the revenge game, coach DeSagana Diop's team recorded 12 blocks to secure their 85-72 victory and a spot in the next round of the qualifiers.
Before Thursday night, the blocks record was held by France, who recorded 11 blocks against Czechia in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers in February of that year.
Ibou Badji ranks third overall in blocks (2.8) in the qualifiers. He was colossal for Senegal with four blocks in the game. Tacko Fall, one of the tallest basketball players, had three blocks on the historic night.
Mbaye Ndiaye and Ibrahima Faye joined in with two blocks each, impressively making the dirty work look good.
Speaking on his team's defensive effort at the post-match conference, Coach Diop told FIBA.Basketball: "I believe we can guard at a higher level. We can be better. I think anybody who is from Senegal can block shots. I think it's a gift."
"As I said I always tell people our defence is our best offence because when you block shots you can got and get quick buckets."
FIBA