FIBA: USA, Italy and Lithuania march into second round

New York, February 27: The United States, Italy, Lithuania and Spain marched into the second round of FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying on Monday (February 26).

USA improved to 4-0 in qualifying with an 83-75 win over Puerto Rico in Group C in the Americas.

Aaron Harrison led the way with 16 points as the Americans withstood a stern test from Puerto Rico.

Also in Group C, Mexico returned to winning ways with a 75-52 victory against Cuba.

Argentina also booked their ticket to the next round after they defeated Paraguay 84-61 in Group A, while Panama upstaged Uruguay 86-75.

Amedeo Della Valle was the star of the show for the Italians, scoring 29 points in a 101-50 rout of Romania in Cluj to maintain his side's perfect record after four Group D matches.

Lithuania advanced in style, Eimantas Bendzius pouring in 22 points and claiming four rebounds in a 106-50 Group C hammering of Kosovo in Klaipeda.

Spain also moved into round two, the Group A leaders seeing off Montenegro 79-67, while all four teams are still in the hunt to qualify from Group B after Latvia beat Turkey 79-70 and Ukraine saw off Sweden 77-66.

Coach Ivica Skelin said it is "probably the end of my run with Croatia" despite an 82-78 win over the Netherlands, while Slovenia failed to seal their place in the second round after losing 93-92 to Belarus and Hungary moved level with Poland in Group C by beating them 64-57.

New Zealand defeated Korea 93-84 in Seoul to progress from Asian Qualifiers Group A and Lebanon thrashed India 90-50 to go through.

China also qualified along with Jordan following victories over Hong Kong and Syria respectively.

Source: OPTA