World No. 7 Slovenia completed a sweep in Group F after cruising past Cape Verde, 92-77, in the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Wednesday at the Okinawa Arena in Japan.
Despite shooting 5-of-17 (29%), Luka Doncic orchestrated the victory for the Junaki with a well-rounded display, contributing 19 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.
Trailing by 45-38 at halftime, the Blue Sharks initiated, narrowing the deficit to a one-possession game, 48-45. However, the Slovenians remained resolute, countering with an impressive 21-10 run to conclude the penultimate quarter with a commanding 69-55 lead.
The Junaki extended their advantage to a whopping 24 points in the decisive quarter, sealing Cape Verde’s elimination from the competition. Slovenia capitalized on turnovers, amassing 21 points, while Cape Verde managed only six.
Klemen Prepelic contributed 18 points and seven assists for the seventh-ranked team globally, while Alksej Nikolic and Bine Prepelic each added 11 points.
Betinho Gomes was Cape Verde’s top scorer with 17 points, while Kenneti Mendes provided 10 points.
Slovenia officially advances to the next round and is scheduled to face Patty Mills and the Australians on Friday, September 1, at the Okinawa Arena.
Earlier in the day, Georgia secured their spot in the second round with a convincing 70-59 victory over Venezuela.
Former Chicago Bull Tornike Shengelia emerged as an early force for the Crusaders, contributing 12 of his 25 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for the match.
With a five-point lead at the conclusion of the opening frame, the 32nd-ranked world team ignited an 18-4 run to finish the first half at 42-23.
The Crusaders’ lead swelled to 23 pointS, 52-29, in the early stages of the third quarter, rendering a comeback improbable for the Squadra Criolla.
Georgia’s defense effectively limited Squadra Criolla to 37% shooting (25-of-67) from the field.
Orlando Magic’s Goga Bitadze achieved a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, bolstering Georgia’s triumph.
Nestor Colmenares spearheaded Venezuela’s offense with a double-double of his own, notching 16 points and 12 rebounds. Meanwhile, Jose Materan and Heissler Guillent contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively. (Jose Gabriel Ignacio)
The Scores:
First Game:
Georgia 70 — Shengelia 25, Bitadze 11, Sanadze 9, Andronikashvili 9, Shermandini 4, Jintcharadze 4, Tsintsadze 3, McFadden 3, Mamukelashvili 2
Venezuela 59 — Colmenares 16, Materan 12, Guillent 10, Cubillan 9, Sifontes 3, Zamora 3, Graterol 2, Sojo 2, Chourio 2, Ruiz 0
Quarterscores: 24-19, 42-23, 59-44, 70-59
Second Game:
Slovenia 92 — Doncic 19, K. Prepelic 18, Nikolic 11, B. Prepelic 11, Tobey 9, Hrovat 7, Dimec 6, Dragic 6, Samar 2, Glas 0
Cape Verde 77 — B. Gomes 17, Mendes 10, Lima 9, E. Tavares 9, Correia 8, I. Almeida 7, Rosa 5, W. Tavares 5, Mendonca 3, J. Almeida 2, K. Gomes 2
Quarterscores: 24-21, 45-38, 69-55, 92-77
