Iran beat Tunisia
Iran downed Tunisia in a battle of win-less teams at the Abdi Ipekci Arena in Istanbul.
The Asian champions banked on an explosive first quarter and withstood a late-game rally to claim their first win in Group B. The Tunisians actually started as the aggressors, racing to a 5-0 lead after Naim Dhifallah sank a trey and two free throws. Another basket from Dhifallah allowed the Tunisians to take a 9-5 advantage midway in the period. However, the Iranians countered with an 11-0 run behind the hot shooting of Mehdi Kamrani, who scored five points. Iran finished the quarter with a 23-11 lead.
Iran continued to play well in the second period, leading by as many as 15 points. However, successive three-pointers from Marouan Laghnej, Hamdi Braa and Atef Maoua allowed the Tunisians to trim Iran's lead to ten points at the half. The Iranians then went inside to Hamed Haddadi, who scored five straight points to extend their lead to 38-23 early in the third. Another trey from Javad Davari gave Iran a 41-28 cushion. The Iranians' solid shooting foiled any attempts of a Tunisian comeback as they ended the third with a 55-36 advantage.
With their backs against the wall, the Tunisians staged a rally in the fourth period. A basket from Radhouane Slimane allowed Tunisia to reduce Iran's lead to 52-56 with six minutes and 25 seconds left in the game. Aren Davoudi scored a free throw for Iran but Salah Mejri countered with a jumper to put Tunisia within three, 54-57. Iran, however, responded with four straight points to keep their opponents at bay. Iran unleashed an 8-0 run following a Tunisia basket to stretch their lead to 69-56 at the 2:12 mark. The Middle East giants held on to their lead until the final buzzer.
The 7ft 2in Haddadi powered his way to 23 points and 13 rebounds. The Memphis Grizzlies centre also had four blocked shots. Kamrani added 15 points while Arsalan Kazemi had 14 for the Iranians. Mejri and young forward Makrem Ben Romdhane were the top scorers for Tunisia with 10 points each. Dhifallah finished with nine points.
The victory was a timely boost for Iran, who were coming off back-to-back losses against Brazil (65-81) and Croatia (54-75). The Veselin Matic-mentored Iranians will next play the United States on Wednesday. Tunisia suffered their third-straight defeat after losing to Slovenia (56-80) and Brazil (65-80). The North Africans will next face Croatia.
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