Russia escape Ivory Coast
Russia were given a scare by winless Ivory Coast before prevailing in their Group C showdown at the Ankara Arena. The European squad converted crucial free throws in the dying seconds to escape with a 72-66 victory.
The game was close in the opening period as the two squads traded baskets early on. Two free throws from Mohamed Kone tied the scores at 12-12 but a dunk by Timofey Mozgov and a buzzer-beating trey from Vitaliy Fridzon allowed the Russians to take a 17-12 lead after the first 10 minutes of action.
The second period witnessed a more aggressive Russian squad, forcing their opponents to commit numerous turnovers. The Russians built a 22-12 early in the quarter. A three-pointer from Sergey Monya gave Russia a 32-18 advantage. But the Ivorians rallied in the closing minutes of the period behind the efforts of Guy Edi and Mamadou Lamizana. The Russians saw their lead cut to 34-30 at the break.
Just like they did in the second period, the Ivorians remained defensive-oriented in the third. They forced the Russians to commit turnovers and at the same time converted their own shots. A Kinidinnin Konate lay-up and another basket from Mouloukou Diabate allowed the Africans to go on top, 37-36.
Sergey Bykov regained Russia's lead moments later when he converted all three free throws after he was fouled at the three-point area. Brice Assie responded for Ivory Coast to tie the scores at 40-40. But the Russians unleashed a decisive run behind the hot shooting of Mozgov. He scored nine of his team's last 13 points as Russia took a 53-44 lead at the end of the third.
The Russians continued to play well in the fourth period and were seemingly headed for an easy win after building a 68-55 advantage with one minute and 40 seconds left in the game. But the Ivorians staged a comeback. Edi converted four of five free throws after Monya was slapped an unsportsmanlike foul off a three-point attempt. Guy made a lay-up moments later before Diabate made a steal at mid-court and drove all the way to the basket to put Cote d'Ivoire within 66-68 with 21 seconds left. The Africans fouled Fridzon, who converted both free throws to extend Russia's lead to four. The Russians scored two more free throws to secure the victory.
Mozgov topscored for Russia with 19 points and grabbed five rebounds. Alexander Kaun added 13 points and six rebounds for David Blatt's wards. Kone led the Ivorians with 16 points while Edi and Lamizana had 14 each. Diabate had 10 points and five rebounds.
The Russians claimed their second win in three games while Ivory Coast suffered their third straight loss. Russia downed Puerto Rico, 75-66, in their opening game but lost to hosts Turkey, 56-65, on Sunday. Their next assignment is against China tomorrow. Ivory Coast bowed to Turkey (47-86) and China (73-83) in their first two games. Up next for the Ivorians are Greece.
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