By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – Τhings proved more than easy for Lithuania which got a big win over Mexico and secured a spot in the second phase of the FIBA World Cup.
The final score was 96-66 as Lithuania never took the foot off the gas and led even by 32 points (96-64) as Rokas Jokubaitis and Jonas Valanciunas scored 15 points each, Mindaugas Kuzminskas added 14 in what was a team effort against an opponent who never figured out how to stop the avalanche.
Gabriel Giron with 13 points was the top scorer of Mexico, which trailed by 15 (32-17) at the end of the first period and never recovered, shooting just 36% from the field.
The lead was almost 20 points at halftime (53-34) and the game was over, as Lithuania never relaxed a bit until the final buzzer.
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After this result, Group D is decided with Lithuania and Montenegro having a 2-0 record. They will fight between them for the top spot, while Mexico and Egypt will have to settle for classification games.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA