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20 November, 2017
26 February, 2019
22 Dmitrii Kulagin (RUS)
27/11/2017
Game Report
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Russia come back to beat Belgium, avoid dropping into 0-2 hole

NIZHNY NOVGOROD (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Russia avoided dropping into an 0-2 hole in a highly-competitive Group E of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers by coming back from a double-digit deficit and holding off Belgium 76-69.

Turning point: Russia trailed 23-9 in the first quarter but went on a 9-0 spurt to get back into the game. Russia tied it at the break and then took control in the third quarter with a 15-2 run to end the period with a 62-47 advantage. Belgium were able to trim the gap to five points in the final minute, however Sergey Karasev tallied five points in the final 41 seconds. 

Game hero: While Karasev led Russia with 14 points to go with 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists, Dmitry Kulagin collected 10 points and 9 assists, including 4 points, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in the pivotal third quarter surge.

Stats don't lie: Belgium were unable to take advantage of their superiority in the paint. While they won the rebound battle 36-27, they made just 6 of 14 free throws (43 percent) and committed 22 turnovers to just nine for Russia, who hit 14 of 16 free throws (88 percent). 

Game notes: Russia improved their record to 1-1 in Group E after having lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the opener. Belgium have to be hugely disappointed after once again blowing a first half double-digit lead - after previously losing to France despite holding a 13-point cushion - and now dropping to 0-2. 

They said it: "After the first game, which was not very lucky against Bosnia and Herzegovina, we didn't start very well at home. Maybe we were a little anxious. We didn't have a good first quarter but starting with the second quarter we controlled the game. We hit all our big shots in the third quarter. Sometimes we played great but sometimes we lacked stability. But this is a building process and hopefully we can build on this." - Russia coach Sergey Bazarevich

"I am really proud of the guys, their fighting spirit, their desire to go after the win. We had a very good beginning of the game, like in the first game, we couldn't keep it up. But it's just a matter of time and experience, but we will be there. We have to be proud to play guys like Karasev, Khvostov, Fridzon - the top level in Russia. We had an amazing performance but we also realize that it's a matter of winning, and we didn't." - Belgium coach Eddy Casteels. 

FIBA