Egypt prove too much for Gabon in AfroBasket 2015 opener

RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Egypt trounced Gabon, 96-49, in the opening game of AfroBasket 2015 on Wednesday in Rades, Tunisia, making a significant statement of their intentions in Group C, which includes Cameroon and Mali.

The runners-up of AfroBasket 2013 dominated the entire contest, leaving Gabon, who returned to the competition after a decade-long absence, unable to respond.

Turning Point: Gabon led by a point in the final minutes of the opening quarter, but Egypt's point guard Ehab Amin came off the bench to score six consecutive points and give his team a 16-15 first-quarter lead, and Gabon never led again.

Stats Don't Lie: Gabon, appearing in Africa's flagship event for the first time since 2005, struggled offensively throughout the game, and going 0 of 18 from behind the arc as well making only 52 percent of their free throws didn't help their cause.

Game Hero: Amin not only finished with a game-high 4 assist, but he also added 11 points.

The Bottom Line: Egypt's suffocating full-court defense as well their fast-break plays proved too much for Gabon, who only managed their first field-goal midway through the first quarter. Although Stephane Lasme did what he does best, grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds, and contributing 9 points for Gabon, they will need to regroup to remain alive in Group C. Egypt used a 33-0 run in the second quarter and Gabon, who seemed energetic and ready to compete early in the game, were never the same again, trailing 43-15 at half-time.

FIBA