Serbia dump Jordan for 2nd Win
Serbia vented their ire on Jordan after their painful double-overtime loss to Germany on Sunday. The Serbians used their size advantage and superb outside shooting to easily dispose of the Jordanians, 112-69, in their Group A showdown at the Kayseri Arena on Monday.
The outcome of the game was settled as early as the first quarter, wherein Serbia erupted for 33 points. Led by returning captain Milos Teodosic, the Serbians raced to a 9-0 start. The Europeans extended their lead to 19-7 after Milenko Tepic made a basket at the half-way mark of the quarter. Teodosic, who missed Serbia's first two games due to suspension, scored five points and made four assists to help his team build a comfortable 13-point cushion after the first ten minutes of play. Serbia remained aggressive in the second period, asserting their dominance in the paint and hitting their outside shots. Marko Keselj scored 13 points while Kosta Perovic and Nemanja Bjelica added 10 each as Serbia built a 57-37 half-time lead.
Serbia head coach Dusan Ivkovic opted to use his reserves in the third period but this did not stop his squad from playing well. Instead, the Serbians extended their lead to 83-48 heading into the final quarter. Serbia cruised in the fourth period to secure their second win in three games.
Dusko Savanovic and Keselj led the Serbians with 21 points each while Perovic added 20 and collared six rebounds. Bjelica finished with 12 points and grabbed six rebounds. Teodosic had seven points, seven assists and a steal in his first game of the tournament. Osama Daghlas topscored for Jordan with 19 points while Zaid Abbas added 15 points. Enver Soobzokov also played well for Mario Palma's side, contributing nine points, six rebounds and a steal. Naturalized player Rasheim Wright was held to only five points.
Serbia and Jordan will have a rest day tomorrow. The Serbians will next play Australia on Wednesday. The European powerhouse kicked off their campaign with a 94-44 demolition of African champions Angola before losing to the Germans, 81-82, in their second outing. Serbia will also welcome back centre Nenad Kristic, who was suspended along with Teodosic for their involvement in a brawl against Greece during a tune-up game prior to the tournament. Jordan, on the other hand, will shoot for their first win of the tournament against 2004 Olympic champions Argentina. The Jordanians lost to Australia, 75-76, on opening day and Angola, 65-79, on Sunday.
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