Italy Dominates Latvia at FIBA U18 EuroBasket
Italian dominance overwhelmed Latvia in a FIBA U18 EuroBasket clash, securing a decisive 89-67 win.
Italy held an eight-point lead at halftime (45-37) and maintained that advantage entering the fourth quarter (62-54). However, the game truly swung in the final period, as Italy outscored Latvia 27-13 to seal a commanding victory.
The depth of Italy's squad proved pivotal, with their bench contributing 36 points compared to Latvia's 16. Pablo Abreu, coming off the bench, delivered a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Thomas Acunzo added 13 points and six rebounds, bolstering a defence that held Latvia to just 34% shooting from the field.
Despite Rihards Cernevskis' 22 points and Raivo Kudrjavcevs' 14 points, Latvia couldn't contain Italy's offensive efficiency, which saw them shoot 51% overall.
This victory serves as a significant statement for Italy in the tournament, showcasing their capability to overpower opponents with balanced scoring and stout defence.