MLI/ESP - Brave Mali make Spain work for their victory

TOULOUSE (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) – Spain never looked in trouble against the Group B underdogs as they cruised to a 112-42 win on Saturday evening in Toulouse in front of a partisan crowd complete with drums and horns.

The result saw Spain claim their first win of the event.

Fanta Guindo of Mali scored the game’s first two points, but the minnows were no match for Spain who made seven three-pointers – three coming from Yurena Diaz – in the first period alone for a 31-11 advantage.

The Malians opened the scoring again in the second and showed they too could score from beyond the arc too. Their performance was much more impressive than what they showed against Belgium on Friday, but not enough to threaten the Spaniards who led 59-28 at half time.

Mali's good fortune ran out in the third when they conceded a 12-0 run to start the period.  Spain kept on rolling and led 89-34 heading into the final frame.

Spain had finally ran all of the energy out of the Mali girls and became the first team to reach the century mark so far in the championship.

Itziar Llobet led Spain with 18 points.

Quotes

Victor Lapena (Spain head coach): After our defeat against Australia, we had to go back to work. We played against Mali as we would have done against any team, I mean with respect and seriousness. The most important thing is now to stay concentrate and if we do that we have a chance against Belgium tomorrow.

Oumarou Sidiya (Mali head coach): My impressions are good. The game ended like we expected because we know Spain is a reference. It is hard to compare ourselves to them. We did what we could, they fought hard et respected my instructions.

FIBA/LOC