Guediawaye Basket Academy Storms Past Tivaouane 78–67 in Senegal Division 1 Thriller

In a pivotal Senegal Division 1 clash on 18 May 2026, Guediawaye Basket Academy delivered a commanding second‑half performance to defeat hosts Tivaouane 78–67. The victory strengthened GBA’s push toward the playoff positions, while Tivaouane were left to rue a slow start and missed opportunities in the paint.

Match Overview

Played at the Tivaouane Municipal Gymnasium, the game saw the home side start brightly, racing to an early 10‑point lead behind the energetic play of guard Moussa Diop. However, Guediawaye’s disciplined defense gradually tightened, forcing turnovers and converting them into fast‑break points. By halftime, the visitors had erased the deficit and led 38–36.

The second half belonged entirely to Guediawaye. Their full‑court press disrupted Tivaouane’s rhythm, and the Academy’s depth wore down the hosts. A 12‑2 run midway through the third quarter gave GBA a double‑digit advantage that Tivaouane could never fully recover from.

Key Moments

• First‑quarter burst: Tivaouane opened with a 15‑5 run, highlighted by two three‑pointers from Diop.
• Second‑quarter turnaround: GBA’s bench outscored Tivaouane’s reserves 14‑4, sparking a 22‑10 surge that flipped the scoreboard.
• Decisive third quarter: Center Amadou Niang scored eight points in the paint, including a powerful and‑1 finish that sent the GBA bench into celebration.
• Late game composure: Tivaouane cut the deficit to five points with four minutes to play, but Guediawaye’s guards Cheikh Mbaye and Fallou Sène combined for seven free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Standout Players

Amadou Niang (GBA): The 6’10” center dominated the glass with 14 rebounds and added 18 points, controlling the interior on both ends.
Cheikh Mbaye (GBA): The point guard orchestrated the offense with 12 assists and 15 points, repeatedly finding cutters against Tivaouane’s zone.
Moussa Diop (Tivaouane): Despite the loss, Diop poured in a game‑high 22 points, including four three‑pointers, keeping his team competitive in the first half.

Tactical Story

Tivaouane’s early success came from aggressive ball movement and high‑screen actions that created open looks. But as the game progressed, Guediawaye switched to a 2‑3 zone that clogged the lane and dared Tivaouane to shoot from outside. The hosts went just 4‑of‑15 from beyond the arc in the second half, while GBA exploited mismatches in transition. Head coach Omar Ndiaye of GBA remarked after the game: “We knew if we could speed them up and force contested jumpers, our size advantage would win us the game.”

Season Impact

The result moves Guediawaye Basket Academy to 11‑5 on the season, climbing into joint‑fourth place in the Senegal Division 1 standings. For Tivaouane (8‑8), the defeat drops them to eighth, putting their playoff hopes under serious pressure. The two teams are scheduled to meet again on 12 June in the return leg at the GBA Arena.