Lukic and Kusturica Power Serbia Past Lithuania
Serbia staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to overwhelm Lithuania 101-78 at the FIBA U17 World Cup.
Having held a 34-44 lead at halftime, Lithuania surprisingly surged ahead to take a 67-66 advantage entering the final period. However, Serbia unleashed a decisive 11-35 run in the closing minutes to seize control and seal the win. The Serbians outrebounded Lithuania 41-31 and shot a more efficient 48% from the field compared to Lithuania's 41%, though their bench contributed fewer points (22 vs 27). Matija Lukic spearheaded the charge with 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, complemented by Nikola Kusturica's 30 points and 7 rebounds, as the star duo ignited in the crucial final stretch. Benas Birzinis and Gabrielius Buivydas battled valiantly for Lithuania, scoring 17 and 16 points respectively, but it wasn't enough to counter Serbia's offensive explosion.
This emphatic win serves as a significant statement for Serbia early in the tournament, showcasing their resilience and offensive firepower.