Mouhammad Faye inspired Senegal to an 82-75 triumph over Puerto Rico in Sunday’s Day 2 of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup Group B in Seville, Spain.
Faye poured in a game-high 20 points for Senegal who won their first World Cup game since 1998.
Four years ago the Senegalese finished winless in five games at Turkey 2010, but this latest win increases the West Africa country’s chances of progressing to the next round of FIBA’s flagship event.
This victory is a major boost for the Senegalese who lost their World Cup opener against Greece on Saturday.
If they won one more game, it would be a new chapter in Senegal Basketball history.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng displayed yet another consistent performance of 18 points, a game-high 13 rebounds – his second double-double of the showdown – two assists and two blocks.
Puerto Rican Renaldo Balkman led all scorers with 21 points, but they were unable to avoid their second defeat.
Senegal head coach Cheikh Sarr says nobody expected them to at least win a game except them: “We have to be greedy, say we want more and look forward. We are very humble and honoured to play in this competition.
Maleye Ndoye, the only Senegalese in the roster who played at the World Cup four years ago, explained that, « it’s better to get the win this year. We have good guys here. We’ve been working together since 2010. And it’s a great thing to be part of the history of Senegal basketball.”
In Gran Canarias, Angola’s resilience only lasted until late in the third quarter, before Lithuania stretched to a 14-point lead.
The African champions bounced-back, cutting the deficit to just nine in the final quarter, nevertheless they conceded a 75-62 defeat, their first.
Eduardo Mingas led all scorers for Angola with 14 points, and Olimpio Cipriano added 13 for losing cause.
In the final game of the day, hosts Spain trounced the Egypt 91-54.
Senegal will take on Croatia on a crucial game on Monday, and Egypt face France.
Angola resume their campaign on Tuesday, facing Mexico.
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