Russell Sparks Romania's Comeback Over Greece
Daron Russell exploded off the bench for 20 points, spearheading a dramatic Romanian comeback to defeat Greece 73-66 in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. The visitors had held a slim three-point lead at halftime (35-38) and extended that advantage to seven entering the final quarter (51-58). However, a seismic shift in momentum saw Romania outscore Greece 22-8 in the fourth period to secure a crucial win. Romania's reserves proved vital, outscoring their Greek counterparts 35-32. Lucas Tohatan chipped in with 13 points and 6 assists, while Emi Cate pulled down 6 rebounds. For Greece, Kostas Papanikolaou registered a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, though it wasn't enough to quell the Romanian surge. This victory serves as a significant statement for Romania in the tournament.