Buhner Sparks Germany's Dominance
Germany delivered a commanding offensive performance to defeat Mali 83-58 at the FIBA Women's World Cup. Reserve guard Frieda Buhner ignited the German attack, scoring a game-high 21 points, much of which fueled a decisive second-quarter surge that saw Germany extend a 17-point halftime lead (49-32) to a commanding 20-point advantage entering the final frame (64-44). The German bench proved instrumental, outscoring Mali's reserves 50-16, a stark contrast to the 13 assists generated by Mali. Luisa Geiselsoder added 17 points for Germany, while Leonie Fiebich contributed across the board with 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Despite Sika Kone's 10 rebounds and Rokia Doumbia's 5 assists, Mali couldn't overcome Germany's efficient 45% field goal shooting. This victory signals a strong statement of intent from Germany within the tournament.