Voet ignites Belgium past Romania
Seppe Voet delivered a commanding offensive performance, scoring 24 points to spearhead Belgium to an 86-77 triumph over Romania at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket.
In a hard-fought contest at Arena Stožice II, Belgium established an early lead, holding an eight-point advantage by the end of the first quarter and maintaining a 45-34 lead at halftime.
Although Romania mounted a challenge, narrowing the gap from being down 64-58 entering the fourth quarter to a final margin of nine points, Belgium held firm. The Belgians shot an efficient 31-of-60 from the field (52%) and received a significant boost from their bench, which contributed 23 points compared to Romania's 18. Romania, despite hitting 11 three-pointers, couldn't overcome their overall 36% shooting (27-of-74).
Beyond Voet's scoring, Feie Tallir added 6 rebounds and 7 assists, while Daan Pieters chipped in 9 points and 5 rebounds off the bench. For Romania, Luca Illes recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, supported by Codrut Dinu's 19 points and 6 assists.
This victory represents a significant step for Belgium in the tournament, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure.