The 2014 FIBA World Cup enters day two and for the teams that won their opening games, it’s a chance for them to build on good start and build a platform to qualify for round two in Barcelona and Madrid. The teams that lost their opening games have a chance to make amends and get back on track.
Group A
Serbia 73-74 France
France got off the mark at the second attempt after a single Joffrey Lauvergne free throw with a second left ensured a 74-73 win over Serbia in Grenada.
Lauvergne ended with 19 points and 6 rebounds for the French as they rebounded from their loss to Brazil with a win against a strong Serbian outfit.
Brazil 70-59 Iran
Brazil are now 2-0 in Group A after a comfortable 70-59 over Iran, who fall to 0-2.
Iran led 18-17 after the first quarter but were then held to just 6 points as Brazil ran riot and settled in the second half for the win. Alex Garcia had 12 for the South Americans.
Spain 91-54 Egypt
Hosts Spain had little trouble in dismantling Egypt 91-54 in the final game of the day.
Leading 26-10 after the first quarter set the tone of what was to come as Spain ease their way to 2-0, while the Egyptians drop to 0-2.
Group B
Argentina 85-90 Croatia
Despite an impressive 30 points from Luis Scola, Croatia withstood the onslaught to remain unbeaten in Group B, beating Argentina 90-85.
After coming back from a double-digit deficit, Argentina pulled the game to five points with just over a minute left. Roko Leni-Ukic though hit a dagger three-pointer to give the Croats an 88-80 lead, and from there, the game was over.
Krunoslav Simon hit 18 points to lead Croatia.
Senegal 82-75 Puerto Rico
Senegal celebrated a famous 82-75 win over a poor Puerto Rico side in the second game in Seville.
The African side got off to a poor start though as they trailed 29-20 after the first period, but they responded brilliantly in the second to lead 41-30 at half-time and build on the advantage from there.
Gorgui Dieng had a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds for Senegal.
Philippines 70-82 Greece
Greece made hard work of their 82-70 win over a stubborn Philippines side who unfortunately drop to 0-2.
Greece move to 2-0. Georgios Printezis led the Greeks with 25 points.
Group C
Dominican Republic 76-63 New Zealand
Dominican Republic gained their first win of the World Cup in Bilbao by beating New Zealand 76-63 as they now drop to 0-2. The Dominicans went up a gear in the second quarter after a closely contested first ten minutes and the Tall Blacks never recovered.
A game-high haul of 29 points from Francisco Garcia was enough to hand the Dominicans the win.
Finland 81-76 Ukraine
Finland recovered from their nightmare against the USA by beating Ukraine 81-76 and handing them their first loss of the tournament.
In-front of 8,000 Finland fans, the Nordic nation now move to 1-1 with this win.
Turkey 77-98 USA
The USA fought back from being 40-35 down at half-time to beat Turkey 98-77 in a rematch of the 2010 world championship final.
Kenneth Faried led the USA with 22 points as the U.S. move to 2-0, but make no mistake, the Turks gave them a real challenge.
Group D
Korea 55-89 Australia
Australia scored their first win as they eased past Korea 89-55 in game number one in Gran Canaria. The Asian side are now 0-2 and look destined to be eliminated at the first round stage.
Joe Ingles led the Boomers with 17 points in a well-balenced scoring attack.
Slovenia 89-68 Mexico
Slovenia got off to a hot start and never back, as they beat Mexico 89-68 in the second game of the day.
Zoran Dragic led Slovenia with 22 points in what was a routine win.
Lithuania 75-62 Angola
Lithuania were less than convincing but overcame Angola 75-62 in the final game of the day in Group D.
Donatas Montejunas led Lithuania with 12 points. Jonas Valanciunas had a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds.
