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The Multi-Purpose Indoor facility of the Goa University played host to the Men’s semis on the fourth day of basketball action at the 3rd Lusofonia Games.
The fourth day was all about the Men. With all teams having played matches against countries with in their own pool, it was time for the semis and the playoff match for 5th and 6th positions.
Here’s a summary of all the action of day 4:
Men’s Semis
Angola vs Mozambique
Final Score: 71-55
Mozambique, leaders of group A, faced off against Angola, second placed in the other group.
Despite being among the two teams in the Men’s to be unbeaten, Mozambique came up short against Angola losing by a margin of 16 points.
Being the semis the stakes were raised and so did the level of competition in the contest. It was a close one right till the final period of play. Angola had the lead the whole game but going into the fourth quarter it was a thin margin of 8 points.
Everyone expected them to fight back but instead Angola took the game away by outscoring the opposition 20-12 in the final quarter.
Angola advances to the medal round while the Mozambique need to play a 3rd place playoff match for the bronze.
Cape Verde vs India
Final Score: 67-52
Both the contests played were worthy to be semis. The matchup between hosts India, unbeaten leaders of Group B, and Cape Verde, placed second behind Mozambique in Group A, was another one decided in the final period of play.
This match was so close that it was tied after three quarters at 43. India posted a victory only after going on a run outscoring the opposition 24-9 in the fourth quarter.
The team from Cape Verde would definitely be disappointed in their performance, especially because the handed the match away in the final period.
All is not lost as they still have a match remaining against Mozambique for the bronze medal while India go up against Angola to decide who takes the gold.
Guinea Bissau vs Macau
Final Score: 68-71
Although listed as a Men’s semis match, this was in reality a match to decide who would finish 5th and 6th in the final Men’s standings but the level of play in this contest was worthy of being called a semi.
In the first extra time match of the Games, Macau salvaged some pride by defeating Guinea Bissau leaving Guinea Bissau without a win in the tournament.
For three quarters of the game, Macau was playing from behind. Heading into the fourth quarter, they trailed by 19 points and behind a spirited fourth quarter run they outscored Guinea 28-9 to tie the match.
Both teams have no matches left in the competition and finish at the bottom of the table with Macau having the last laugh among the two teams.
