Home FIBA London 2012 Russia knock-out Angola

Russia knock-out Angola

Russia defeated Angola 80-65 earlier today in the quarter-finals of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Caracas.

With this win, Russia advance to the semi-finals knowing that victory will secure an Olympic birth. Angola will miss their first Olympics since 1992.

Guard, Vitaliy Fridzon led the Russian score sheet pouring in 18 points in only 18 minutes. Followed closely by big man Sasha Kaun who scored 17.

The majority of Angola’s scoring came from sharp shooter Eduarda Mingas who was 50% from the field including 2/2 from 3-point range.

Angola did well to stay close to Russia in the early going. Much of their offense ran through Morais who shot the ball well, scoring 9 points in the first.

However the team effort of Russia was slightly overpowering giving them a 25-21 lead going in to the second quarter.

Angola began to creep back sinking some foul shots, but Russia’s powerful inside-outside game increased their lead further.

With a flurry of mistakes by the Angolan offense Russia were able to put together a 7-point, unanswered run.

Morais ended it with a 3-pointer, however this was the only bright spot left for them in the second. Russia proceeded to go on an 11-0 run increasing their already sizable lead. Going in to half time Russia led 43-26.

The start of the second half was good for Angola with Eduardo Mingas scoring the first 5 points for either team.

The third was more of the same and ended 60-42 for the Russians, giving Angola a gigantic mountain to climb if they wanted to get back into the game. Poor possessions had put them in a bad position going into the final quarter.

Most of the Angolan offense in the fourth came from Mingas, Barros and Costa but was not at a high enough rate to put them back in contention.

Even with the win firmly grasped, Russia continued the barrage shooting a terrific 49.1% from the field in the game. The conclusion saw Russia win 80-65 sending them though to the next stage of the competition with a high chance of being one of the three out of four teams to qualify for London.

Russia will now play either Greece or Nigeria in the semi-final.

Exit mobile version