U17 World Championship – Day One

The second ever FIBA U17 World Championship tipped off on Friday in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

In Group A’s opening match Mali were no match for Belgium who blew the Africans out. Hind Ben Abdelkader led the charge for Belgium with 25 points. A 18-5 third quarter largely attributed for the Italian win over Canada. Kia Nurse led Canada with 20 points while Antonia Peresson had 18 for Italy. Defending champions Americans started the tournament with an offensive explosion of 131 points, converting on more than 60% of their field goals.

Having trailed for most of the first half, Spain came out strong in the third quarter, winning it by 20 points on their way to a win against Australia. Shooting guard Yaiza Rodriguez was the top scorer of that game with 19 points. In another Group B game Japan came up 8 points short of 100 point mark in their win against Brazil. Yunika Nakamura’s 21 points led 5 other Japanese players in double digits. The hosts having opened a 16 point lead in the third quarter held on for dear life as their opponents, the Turks, went on a 15-0 run to all but wipe that lead out. Laura Cornelius and Lisanne de Jonge combined for 11 points in the remaining time in regulation as Netherlands prevailed.

Group A

Mali – Belgium 45-81
Mali: Maiga 14, Fomba 12, N’Diaye 9
Belgium: Ben Abdelkader 25, Lemmens 11, Mpoyi Wa Mpoyi 9

Canada – Italy 55-68
Canada: Nurse 20, Potter 8, Orum 7
Italy: Peresson 18, Tagliamento 16, Kacerik 15

Korea – USA 89-131
Korea: Kim 18, An 11, Shin 10, Park 10, Lee 10
USA: Greenwell 23, Turner 20, Russel 17, Reimer 15, Davis 12, Deshields 12, Chidom 11, Harper 9

Group B

Australia – Spain 49-65
Australia: Mangakahia 10, Panousis 7, Collins 7
Spain: Rodriguez 19, Pujol 11, Romero 10, Quevedo 9

Japan – Brazil 92-71
Japan: Nakamura 21, Nagai 18, Mawuli 15, Yamada 11, Itani 11, Miyazaki 10
Brazil: Sangalli 23, Ribeiro 11, Lucchini 10

Turkey – Netherlands 60-67
Turkey: Coklar 22, Akbas 19, Bodur 7
Netherlands: Slim 21, Zappeij 13, De Jonge 10, Hof 10