THA - Hosts Thailand romp past South Africa

BANGKOK (World University Games) - Hosts Thailand claimed a convincing win over South Africa in their opening game of the Men`s second group phase.

Jakkrapan Silapapipat scored 23 points as Thailand triumphed 85-64. Ratdech Kruatiwa added 18 points, while Amogelang Keogatile top-scored for South Africa with 18 points.

Brazil overcame Chinese Taipei 76-66 despite a final-period revival and Sheng-yao Lui`s 19 points. Chinese Taipei won the fourth quarter 23-15 but Brazil won through to join Thailand at the top of Group M. João Ramalho scored 17 points, while Audrei Parisotto claimed 16.

A second-half fightback from Kazakhstan earned a one-point victory over Czech Republic to ensure they go top of Group N. Kazakhstan overturned a half-time deficit of 11 points to triumph 64-63 with Mikhail Yevstigneyev leading the scoring with 18 points.

Australia beat Angola by a margin of 44 points to go level with Kazakhstan. Aron Baynes top-scored with 21 as Australia won 96-52.

Lithuania thrashed China 125-63 to stay top of Group J after their second comfortable victory of the second round. Chao Yang made 19 points for China but Lithuania`s Mantas Kalnietis top-scored with 24 points. Antanas Kavaliauskas and Rolandas Alijevas each got 19.

The USA beat Turkey 87-65 to go level with their opponents behind Lithuania. Adam Koch led the USA with 20 points, but the game`s top-scorer was Rifat Murat Kaya, who claimed 22 points.

South Korea saw off a final-quarter comeback from Canada to win 82-79. The Canadians won the final period 17-10, with Garry Gallimore finishing with 25 points, while Chan Hee Park grabbed 24 for Korea, who are second in Group I.

Israel top the group after their second win of the second phase. Nitzan Yehuda Hanochi grabbed 26 points in the 90-87 victory over New Zealand. Israel had established a 12-point lead after the first quarter, and the Emerging Tall Blacks could not overturn the deficit, despite 20 points from Zane Meehl, son of Tall Black legend Warwick Meehl.

Heiko Schaffartzik, with 22 points, led Germany to a 72-65 win over Ukraine as they went level with Japan at the top of Group K.

Kosuke Takeuchi scored 23 points as Japan defeated Greece 81-65, despite 24 points from Konstantinos Kakaroudis.

Serbia and Russia are top of Group L after two victories each.

Strahinja Milosevic claimed 18 points as Serbia defeated Finland 78-55, while Russia thrashed Mexico 92-54.

Matt McGeehan
FIBA