- ASB Mazembe 65-90 Libolo
2014 FIBA Africa Champions Cup winners Sport Libolo e Benfica got off to a winning start at this year’s edition of the premier club competition on the continent.
Libolo defeated returning ASB Mazembe (of the Democratic Republic of Congo) 90-65 on Monday thanks to hot shooting from beyond the arc.
Mazembe, whose last appearance at the competition was in 2014 (and were ejected by the same club at the quarter finals), defended the interior but gave up the 3-point and were punished.
Angolan international Reggie Moore (9 points) and former tournament MVP Milton Barros (9 points) cooked from deep as Libolo jumped to a 12-3 lead early in the opening quarter before extending the lead to double figures.
However, Mazembe rallied back an trailed by 6 (18-24) at the end of the first period.
Just over a minute into the second quarter, Jekel Foster connected a pair of treys and restored Libolo’s double-digit lead that was never relinquished.
While Mazembe pounded Libolo on the inside, their struggles on the foul line did not help their cause as they hit just 14-of-35 from the stripe.
Foster scored team high 21 points for Libolo and was supported by Pedro Bastos (13 points), Divaldo Mbunga (12 points) and Benvido Quimbamba (10 points).
Big man Pitchou Manga notched a 25 points, 10 rebounds double-double to pace Mazembe. Fabrice Maradi – the only other player to reach double figures in scoring – had 14 points
Next Games
The two sides return to action tomorrow (Tuesday, December 12) with Libolo facing GSP who beat Ferroviario Beira while Mazembe will be looking to bounce back against Union Sportive Monastirienne.
