By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Heissler Guillent scored a game-high 31 points and dished out seven assists as Venezuela beat Ivory Coast 87 – 71 to capture its first World Cup win and improve to 1-1 in Group A.
“I’m really pleased and happy for the first win we have in this tournament. As a team, it gives us the opportunity to keep fighting to advance in the next round. That was the greatest motivation we had in tonight’s game,” Guillent said in the post-game presser.
For the Ivory Coast that was the second loss in a row following the one to China in the debut. Charles Abouo dropped 16 points while Deon Thompson posted 15 points and five rebounds for the Ivorian side.
“We are disappointed,” Ivory Coast’s Tiegbe Bamba said. “But we have to bounce back now.”
Venezuela stormed into the game by dominating the first quarter 26- 17. Their opponents tried to recover but coach Duro’s players were too effective on offense to be denied.
In the second half, Venezuela established a lead above 20 points. It was too much to be erased by the Ivorian team that remained at a non-threatening distance for the remainder of the match.