Mejri, Roll shine as Tunisia repeat in AfroBasket / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Former Dallas Mavericks and Real Madrid center Salah Mejri scored 22 points, while Michael Roll had 18 points and nine assists, as Tunisia repeat as African basketball champion in a 78-75 victory over Ivory Coast.

Tunisia thus won their third AfroBasket tournament in 10 years. Mejri hit a 3-pointer with 2:19 remaining to give Tunisia a 77-66 lead, but Ivory Coast closed the gap to three points when Souleyman Diabate was fouled on a 3-pointer and hit the free throw with 36 seconds left.

Credit FIBA Media

The Tunisians then ran the clock down but failed to get off a shot, leaving Ivory Coast with a chance to tie with 10 seconds on the clock. But Matt Costello’s pass to the corner was snatched in midair by Roll to end the game.

Costello, a former Michigan State forward who played briefly for the San Antonio Spurs in the 2017-18 season and currently competes with Baskonia Vitoria, was held scoreless in the first half and finished with nine points and eight rebounds. Diabate had a team-high 20 points and was 4 of 5 from the 3-point range. Omar Abada added another 19 points.

The AfroBasket 2021 All-Star team:

Tunisia’s Makram Ben Romdhane (12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds 2.8 assists, and 2.6 steals per game) Tunisia’s Omar Abada (12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game) Ivory Coast's Matt Costello (16.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game) Senegal’s Gorgui Dieng (20.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game) Cape Verde’s Walter Tavares (16.8 points, 14.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 4.0 blocks per game)

Ben Romdhane was also named the MVP of the tournament.

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