Kusturica's Masterclass Fuels Serbia's Dominant Win
Nikola Kusturica delivered a dominant performance, posting 17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks to propel Serbia to a commanding 97-71 victory over Côte d'Ivoire at the FIBA U17 World Cup.
Serbia seized control early, holding an eight-point lead at halftime (47-39) and extending that advantage to 18 entering the final quarter (77-59). The Serbian advantage truly solidified in the third quarter, where they outscored their opponents 30-20 to put the game out of reach.
Despite a stellar 27-point effort from Côte d'Ivoire's Nathan Djako, Serbia showcased significant depth, with their bench contributing 38 points compared to just 18 for their opponents. Luka Galic added 11 points and 7 rebounds off the bench, while Petar Bjelica chipped in 13 points. Serbia outrebounded Côte d'Ivoire 54-40 and dished out 27 assists to just 12, overcoming a 44% (36/81) field goal percentage.
This decisive win sends a strong statement from Serbia in the tournament, highlighting their ability to control games on both ends of the floor.