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11/22/2024 04:41:19 am

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FIBA World Cup: Senegal Makes History by Posting First Win Since 1998

Senegal

(Photo : http://www.onebidwonders.com/)

Senegal scored their first win at FIBA since 1998 by defeating Puerto Rico, 82-75, at the FIBA World Cup this year.


The team was led by Mouhammad Faye who tallied 20 points as well as Gorgui Dieng with 18 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Senegal now running with 1-1 under Group B.

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The Puerto Rican team was not able to recover when their floor leader Carlos Arroyo incurred an ankle injury in the second quarter.

Cheikh Saar, coach of the African team, expressed his happiness about the win stating that they are humbled and honored to compete in the World Cup.

In 2006, Senegal did not win a single game when they participated at the FIBA World Championship held in Japan. The team's first win was back in 1978 when they won over China, 89-79 when the World Cup was hosted by the Philippines. Another victory was then added to their FIBA World Cup record when Senegal defeated South Korea, 75-72 in 1998.

"We've been chasing this for a long time. In Japan, we almost had it," according to Maleye Ndoye, the team captain for Senegal who was also a part of the 2006 team that only lost by 9 points against Puerto Rico and 8 points when they faced Italy.

The captain also emphasized that this year's Senegal team has been together since 2010 and the win will be a part of the country's basketball history.

Ndoye also stated that the team believed in their own abilities when they improved in the second half of their losing effort against Greece.

Aware that the team needs two wins to advance, Maurice Ndour explained that Senegal is hungry for another win. This year's tournament marks Ndour's second international game for the team.

Senegal's next opponent will be the still-undefeated Croatian basketball team who won close games against the Philippines and Argentina.

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