Early today, Kenya Morans managed to secure a first win in the AfroBasket tournament after beating Mali 72-66 in a hotly contested game. This means that Kenya qualifies for the quarter-finals classification and will face the winner between Uganda and South Sudan. The group leaders on the other hand advance directly into the quarter-finals.
Heading into the match, both sides were winless in their opening two matches having lost to both Nigeria and Ivory Coast, who have progressed to the Quarters. Taylor Ongwae once again delivered when it mattered most after leading with 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists followed by Captain Griffin Ligare, who after a slow start, burst out scoring 12 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
Kenya dominated the first three quarters, leading 22-18 in the opening quarter before tying at 11-11 in the second for a 33-29 at the break. Morans took the third quarter 22-16 to do the damage, which despite Mali outplaying Kenya 21-17, Morans won 72-66. Kenya will now await to face either South Sudan or Uganda in the quarterfinals qualifications round on Tuesday.