In a battle of European groups, powerhouse Serbia prevailed because it eradicated erstwhile undefeated Lithuania, 87-68, to punch a ticket to the 2023 FIBA World Cup semifinals on Tuesday on the Mall of Asia Arena.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, as he has in all however one in every of Serbia’s earlier video games, led the way in which once more with 21 factors on 9-of-13 capturing share alongside 4 rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Filip Petrusev added 17 markers together with six boards and two dimes.
Tadas Sedekerskis, in the meantime, paced Lithuania with 14 factors, 9 rebounds, and two assists whereas Jonas Valanciunas chipped in 11 markers and 4 boards within the loss.
The Serbians, who completed fifth within the earlier World Cup version in 2019, now await the results of the opposite quarterfinals sport between Slovenia and Canada to find out its ultimate 4 opponent.
Coming off a giant upset win in opposition to the USA the opposite day, Lithuania did their greatest within the first half to maintain inside putting distance of Serbia, even main by one, 25-24, within the first quarter.
They fell behind by 11 on the half, 49-38, as Bogdanovic continued to prepared the ground for Serbia.
Lithuania had a powerful third quarter begin with a fast 5-0 run to shut the hole to 6, 49-43, earlier than a 24-12 closing run within the body noticed Serbia having fun with a 73-55 benefit.
Serbia as soon as once more flaunted its depth with Stefan Jovic burying two triples and Nikola Jovic serving up a slam for a 62-48 cushion. That lead even went as much as 25 after back-to-back triples from Petrusev midway by the fourth, 82-57.
Serbia by no means seemed again since then en route to a different lopsided victory.
Previously, Serbia cruised to a 112-79 win in opposition to Dominican Republic within the conclusion of their second spherical marketing campaign.
Lithuania, alternatively, has been booted out regardless of a clear run within the first and second rounds which it ended with a 5-0 win-loss card. Their marketing campaign included an upset of event favourite USA of their second spherical assembly.
In their win over the US, they shot 52.8-percent from the sphere and 56-percent from three-point vary for a whopping 110 factors. It was a distinct story on this one as they struggled for simply 42.9-percent subject purpose capturing and 32.1-percent from past the arc.
Lithuania will nonetheless play within the classification part.
The scores:
Serbia 87 – Bogdanovic 21, Petrusev 17, S. Jovic 11, Guduric 9, Milutinov 9, Avramovic 8, N. Jovic 8, Davidovac 2, Marinkovic 1, Ristic 1, Dobric 0.
Lithuania 68 – Sedekerskis 14, Jokubaitis 13, Brazdeikis 11, Valanciunas 11, Normantas 8, Kuzminskas 6, Dimsa 3, Motiejunas 2, Kariniauskas 0, Maldunas 0, Sirvydis 0.
Quarters: 24-25, 49-38, 73-55, 87-68.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
