Ushindzi lose second straight, exit race to the Elite 16
ANTANANARIVO - Group E hosts COSPN were off to a great start to their campaign as they easily outran Ushindzi 87-52 in Day 2 of the Road to BAL 2024, in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
ANTANANARIVO (Madagascar) – Group E hosts COSPN were off to a great start to their campaign as they easily outran Ushindzi 87-52 in Saturday's Road to BAL 2024 action, in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The hosts put up a strong display from the tip-off, quickly leading 20-6 as they neared the end of the first quarter. COSPN further put their opponents’ ambitions to sleep with a 23-10 run, leading 43-16 into half-time.
Back on the court, coach Julien Chaignot’s charges made small case of Ushindzi, netting another 26 points to strengthen their grip on the game.
It was only in the last quarter that Ushindzi moved COSPN as they outscored the hosts 23-18. This last run was, however, useless as the Policemen had already rested their case.
COSPN relied on import player Bishop Coulter. The 1.95m (6ft 5in) power forward who accounted for 21 points and was active on both ends of the court, grabbing six defensive rebounds and as many on the offensive side.
Livio Ratianarivo contributed 10 points to COSPN's victory
Marco Rakotovao added 14 points, while Anthony Rasolomanana and Livio Ratianarivo each contributed 13 and 10 points to the winning cause.
On the other side, Abdou-el-Anziz Omar’s 13 points for Ushindzi were no match for COSPN’s run.
Defense was a key factor to COSPN’s win as they out-rebounded Ushindzi 54-32. Coulter goes further to add that the game strategy was as easy as ABC.
They were on very keen on the attacking side as they scored 24 points from turnovers, while COSPN’s bench produced 36 points.
“We had a great defense. The coach told us to focus on defense and we got away with the win,” Coulter said.
He further added that they were to keep the same intensity throughout the game. “The coach told us to start the game with a good defense and to keep going. So we kept it going and we walked away with the win.”
The hosts are already focusing on Day 3 finale. As they are gearing up to match Beau Vallon Heat in a deciding game, Coulter says the team is laser focused on their already established game-plan.
“We’re coming to win it all. So we will start strong, keep our defensive lines and play together.”
Sunday's game between COSPN (1-0) and Beau Vallon Heat (1-0) will determine Group E's winner who will advance to the much-coveted Elite 16 round in Johannesburg later this month.
FIBA