AUCKLAND (FIBA U19 World Championship) - A defence-ignited third quarter run and an unsportsmanlike foul on Spaniard Marcos Molina have proved the catalysts for a 92-75 Argentina victory over arch rival Spain in the second round of the FIBA U19 World Championship in New Zealand.

Molina fouled Matias Nocedal heavily on a fast break lay-up with 4:11 remaining in the game with Argentina leading 69-64. Nocedal made both free throws and nailed a three point shot on the ensuing possession to extend the lead to 10 and effectively end the contest.

Earlier, an 11-4 Argentinean run late in the third quarter gave the South Americans their first lead since the start of the second period, with two three pointers from Nocedal and one from Luciano González extending their advantage to 54-49 with 4:35 to play.

Argentina made the plays whenever Spain challenged in the last quarter, and ran away in the final minutes to set up the 17-point margin.

Nocedal finshed with 22 points, Gonzalez with 17 points and Lisandro Rasio 13 points and 13 rebounds.

For Spain, star point guard Daniel Perez finished with 19 points, 3 assists, 3 steals but 5 turnovers. He also scored just 6 points after quarter time, meaning the Spanish lost much of their firepower.

Toni Vicens finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds, and Jorge Santana 12 points for Spain, who were outrebounded 39-23 and handed out just 7 assists to Argentina’s 22.

Argentina play Australia at the North Shore Events Centre at 1:30pm tomorrow, and a win in that game will qualify them for the quarter finals.

Spain face Croatia at 11:00am at the North Shore Events Centre. 

FIBA