Boxscores

NOVI SAD (FIBA U19 World Championship) - Hosts Serbia qualified for the quarter-finals of the FIBA U19 World Championship after a 89-76 victory over Group E rivals Lithuania in Novi Sad.

Miroslav Raduljica top-scored for the home side with an impressive 23 points and seven rebounds, while Stefan Markovic (15 points) also contributed.

Lithuania, meanwhile, were thankful to Zygimantas Janavicius (17), Marius Valukonis (13) and Martynas Gecevicius (13) for keeping them within reach of an unlikely victory.

Miroslav Nikolic's side went into the game knowing progression was already secured thanks to their 4-1 record during the eighth-finals stage, but victory would hand them a favourable draw in the knockout phase.

The home side made a great start to the clash and quickly gained control over their opponents to race into a 24-13 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The visitors, inspired by a series of tactical changes, soon struck back at the start of the second and reduced the gap to just five points.

But Serbia were determined not to lose control of the encounter and soon regained their composure to claim a 48-37 lead by half-time.

Lithuania started the third quarter in much the same way they had started the second and reduced their opponents to a seven-point lead midway through the period.

But in similar fashion, the much-fancied hosts displayed their tournament credentials by scoring nine points without reply to race into a 62-50 lead by the start of the final quarter.

And they were in no mood to let the advantage slip as a dominant last 15 minute period wrapped up a 13-point victory and a top-three finish in Group E.

Drew Williams
FIBA