By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Team USA, after a relative close first quarter (27-20), got the win over New Zealand, as the final score (98-71) suggest. There’s not much to write for this game, as the defense of the Americans was once again admirable and New Zealand. Antony Davis with 21 points was the leading scorer of the winners and BJ Anthony with 11 points was the only double digits scorer of the Tall Blacks.
In what was a typical European dogfight, Ukraine managed to beat Turkey. Ihor Zaytsev with 12 points, 5 rebounds and a big shot which decided the final score (64-58) was the hero for the winners, while point guard Olexandr Mishula was the top scorer (19 p.) and also made some key three pointers in crunch time. Omer Asik had a great game (16 p., 20 r.) but couldn’t lead his team to the win. Emir Preldzic tried to turn things around at the end, however despite 14 points and 7 rebounds, he also missed some crucial free throws.
At the last game of the day, Dominican Republic got the very important 74-68 win over Finland . At the first half Dominicans come out on the floor very aggressive and more focused. For one more night Garcia presented solid offensive plays, Vargas improved a lot his game comparing to the previous games getting a double – double and Feldeine gave important effort to his team in many aspects of the game. With a partial score 25-17 during the 2nd period, Dominican Republic had the 41-32 lead at the halftime.
Finland was trying to react, mostly of the times with Koponen and Lee, but the opponents achieved to dominate in the paint and furthermore they had very high three – point percentages all night long. At the end of third period the lead was to ten points (50-60).
Three minutes before the end, Finland made a couple of 3- pointers and cut the lead to 62-66. Koponen stepped up us usual and score one more three (65-68) and the last minute was open to any case. Finland lost 2 crucial defensive rebounds, Salin lost one more chance to keep his team close and finally Dominican Republic celebrated the win.
After 3 days of action USA has 3-0 record, Ukraine is at 2-1 and the same appeals to Dominican Republic. Turkey and Finland are at 1-2 and New Zealand at the last spot (0-3) of the group without a win.