Senegal Edges Out Rwanda 68-65 in FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifying Semifinals, Advances to Final

The Rwandan women’s basketball team was eliminated from the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 pre-qualifying tournament after a close 65-68 loss to Senegal in the semifinals on Saturday night, August 24 at BK Arena.

Despite a strong start and a late rally that brought them within one point, Rwanda fell short as Senegal’s Cierra Dillard sealed the win with crucial free throws.

Senegal’s Ndioma Kane’s game-changing run in the third quarter led to a 7-2 win for the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket runners-up.

Rwanda, playing without Keisha Hampton, struggled in the second half, but with 13 seconds remaining, Senegal’s Cierra Dillard converted two free throws to secure a 68-65 victory for her country. The game was a crucial match for Senegal’s 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket runners-up.

Senegal, undefeated in the tournament, will face Hungary, who defeated Great Britain 82-59, in the final. This match will be a rematch of their earlier group-stage encounter, where Senegal narrowly won 63-61.