Lithuania keeps Slovenia winless in MOA, sets battle for 5th vs. Latvia

Jonas Valanciunas looks to the crowd after a slam dunk. Kennelf Monteza
By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY—Lithuania silenced the pro-Luka Doncic fans that flocked to the SM Mall of Asia Arena for the second straight night as they clobbered Slovenia, 100-84, in their FIBA World Cup classification game on Thursday.

Lithuania opened the game strong, racing to a 33-21 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Although Slovenia cut the lead down to as low as four in the second quarter, Lithuania quickly restored order and pulled away for good.

Jonas Valanciunas put up 24 points, 12 rebounds, one block, and one steal for Lithuania, which set up a Saturday night clash with Latvia for fifth place.

Ignas Brazdeikis contributed 15 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals, and Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Deividas Sirvydis each added 14 points with Kuzminskas going 5-for-5 from the field including 4-of-4 from three-point range.

Doncic led Slovenia, which battles Italy for seventh place also on Saturday night, with 29 points, six rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block, but he too committed five turnovers.

Slovenia slipped to 0-2 in the FIBA World Cup final phase.

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