Madar's 31 not enough as Germany wins qualifier
Yam Madar's spectacular 31-point effort for Israel ultimately fell short as Germany secured a hard-fought 92-86 victory in FIBA World Cup Qualifying action. The Germans held an eight-point lead at halftime, 45-37, and extended their advantage to a commanding 76-55 entering the final quarter. However, Israel mounted a furious comeback, outscoring Germany 31-16 in the fourth to trim the deficit to six. Germany's bench proved crucial, outscoring Israel's reserves 34-16, and their 39% three-point shooting (14/36) proved decisive. Despite the loss, Tomer Ginat was a force for Israel with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, complemented by Khadeen Carrington's 21 points. Dennis Schroder led Germany with 20 points and 9 assists, with Christian Sengfelder contributing 16 points and 6 rebounds. This win marks a significant statement for Germany in the ongoing tournament.