Coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Czech Republic yesterday, Rae Lin D’alie and Italy bounced back, staving off the young Americans, 17-14, to book their spot in the semifinals of the 2018 FIBA 3X3 World Cup.
Clinging to just a 12-10 lead with three minutes left, D’alie took charge, scoring on a long jumper. This was followed by a beautiful find to Giulia Ciavarella to give Italy a 14-10 edge.
Italy never looked back afterwards, booking a date with China in the process.
In a contest pitting Asia’s best and last year’s runners-up, it was the Chinese who came out on top, outlasting Hungary, 17-14.
Knotted at 10-all, Zhang Zhiting was able to escape the lock down defense of Hungarian tower Bettina Bozoki and pick up a foul to give China the lead. A basket by Li Yingyun and steady free throws by Zhang sealed the win for China.
Defending 3×3 World Cup champion Russia whipped Pool A leaders Czech Republic to set-up a showdown against France in the semifinals of the 2018 FIBA 3X3 World Cup.
The Russians were in cruise control all-throughout the game against the Czechs, who lost Andrea Ovsíková due to a severely sprained ankle yesterday against Italy.
Anna Leshkovtseva knocked down the final bucket to get max points with 20 seconds to spare.
Russia will face Czech Republic at 5:45pm and will be followed by the China-Italy showdown.
France, on the other hand, figured in a 19-17 extra time thriller against Spain.
Up by two points with 20 seconds left, Spanish gunner Paula Palomares knocked down a long two-ball against two defenders to send the game into extra time.
However, crisp passing by Christelle Diallo led to easy buckets for Alice Nayo and Johanna Tayeau to pick up the two needed points in overtime.
The Scores:
First Game
RUS 21 – Logunova 8, Leshkovtseva 7, Stolyar 3, Sapova 3.
CZE 14 – Hejdová 5, Minarovičová 5, Stehlíková 4.
Second Game (OT)
FRA 19 – Diallo 7, Paget 6, Tayeau 4, Nayo, 2.
ESP 17 – Palomares 10, Prat 4, Mediavilla 2, Martinez 1
Third Game
CHN 17 – Zhang 7, Jiang 6, Sun 3, Li 1.
HUN 14 – Medgyessy 7, Bozóki 4, Ruják 3, Theodorean 0.
Fourth Game
ITA 17 – Filippi 6, D’alie 5, Ciavarella 5, Rulli 1.
USA 14 – Ionescu 5, Hebard 5, Gildon 3, Boley 1.
