Mali win fourth FIBA Africa U16 Women's Championship in a row

ANTANANARIVO (2015 FIBA Africa U16 Women's Championship) - Mali won their fourth FIBA Africa U16 Women's Championship title in a row after beating Nigeria, 57-46, in a hard-fought Final on Sunday in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The defending champions got off to a goo start, leading 15-6 at the end of the first quarter.

They stayed in front and held on for the win even though the Nigerians made a late push, outscoring them 18-13 in the final quarter.

Just as they have done since the beginning of the tournament, the Malians dominated in all aspects of the game, taking advantage of their opponents' turnovers and converting baskets at decisive moments.

Rokia Doumbia led all the scorers with 15 points, nine of which came in the first quarter alone, when she hit three three-pointers.

The 16-year-old was named MVP and headlined the All-Star Five along with Nigeria's Rita James, Regina Pequeno from Angola, Mozambique's Chanaya Pinto and Rwanda's Bella Murekatete.

Mali have won all four editions of this competition since its debut in 2009.

As a result of reaching the Final, both Mali and Nigeria qualified for next year's FIBA U17 Women's World Championship.

Meanwhile, Angola returned to the podium thanks to their 52-48 win against Mozambique in the Third-Place Game.

The result makes it a trio of third-place finishes for the Angolans in the competition, after 2009 and 2011.

Mozambique led 17-11 at the end of the first quarter, but Angola battled back in the second and third periods to take a 35-31 edge into the final frame, where they held on. 

Pequeno poured in a game-high 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the winning cause.

Meanwhile, Madagascar came in fifth after beating Tunisia, 64-57. Christina Jaofera led all players with 21 points as the host country finished on a positive note.

Egypt beat Morocco 61-46 to grab seventh place.

FIBA