AUCKLAND (FIBA U19 World Championship) - A fast start has set up a comfortable 79-53 victory for Spain on the first day of the FIBA U19 World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, but not before Syria gave them a scare with a strong first half resurgence.

The Spanish team scored 12 unanswered points in the first 3:30 of the game, but were outscored 25-24 for the remainder of the half by Syria, who finished third at the Asian U18 championship.

Syria at one stage closed to within seven at one point, and trailed by just 11 at half time. But Spain put paid to the Syrian resistance with an emphatic 26-13 third quarter that ended the contest.

Syria again refused to give in and fought out the last quarter admirably, being outscored by just two points for the period.

Leading the way for Spain was guard Jorge Santana, who scored 16 points on 5/8 three point shooting, while forward Julio Sosa scored 12 points and pulled in 8 rebounds. Spain face Australia at 5:00pm tomorrow at the North Shore Events Centre.

Syria’s resistance was led by forward Obida Al Samman who collected 13 points and 5 rebounds, the only player from his team in double figures. Syria play Canada at ASB Stadium at 12:30pm tomorrow.

FIBA