ATHENS, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Point guard Vassilij Karassev scored 31 points to
shoot Russia into the semifinals of the world basketball championship as his
side ultimately overwhelmed Lithuania 82-67 in their quarter-final clash on
Friday.
Lithuania led 38-35 halftime but the Russians came out for the second period
like men inspired and quickly swept to 49-42 and later 57-50 as Karassev
increasingly made his mark.
Lithuania, encouraged by top scorer Saulius Stombergas on 17 points, managed
to get to 61-63 with four minutes left but it all fell apart after that as the
Russians moved impressively into overdrive.
It was a magnificent performance by Karassev, boding well for Saturday's
semifinal when Russia, runners-up in 1994, will meet either the United States or
Italy who were playing their quarter-final later on Friday.
In other quarter-finals favourites Yugoslavia were meeting Argentina while
hosts Greece were playing Spain.
Comments