Spain comfortably dismantles the Netherlands after a shaky start / News - Basketnews.com

After losing the first quarter, Spain comfortably defeated the Netherlands 86-64 in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

Credit: Federación Española de Baloncesto Credit Federación Española de Baloncesto

After a shaky start against the overwhelming underdogs, Spain registered two dominant quarters in a row to comfortably defeat the Netherlands 86-64 (17-24, 23-8, 28-18, 18-14).

Player of the Game EFF 15 Lorenzo Brown Points 11 Accuracy 4-5 Rebounds 5 Assists 3

The Netherlands started the game much better. The home team went on a quick 9-2 run to start the match. Even though Jaime Pradilla scored to ease the deficit, the underdogs continued to push and the lead reached 14 points after Olaf Schaftenaar's three-pointer.

Nevertheless, Spain answered with a run of its own, and a 9-0 sprint narrowed the deficit to only five (20-15) in the first quarter. The second quarter was a different story, though.

Spain went on an 11-4 run to capture the lead for the first time in the match (33-30) and never looked back. Just as the Netherlands answered with a score of their own, the guests went on another 8-0 run to finish off the first half in style (40-32).

Spain continued its dominance in the second half and finished the match with an easy victory to capture its seventh win in the Second Round of the Qualifiers.

In a team-effort win, Dario Brizuela led Spain with 13 points, while Lorenzo Brown added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Jito Kok was the top-scorer on the Netherlands squad with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting.

Netherlands: Jito Kok 16 (6/10 2PT, 4 REB), Worthy De Jong 11 (4/4 2PT, 1/6 3PT).

Spain: Dario Brizuela 13 (3/4 3PT), Lorenzo Brown 11 (2/3 3PT, 5 REB, 3 AST), Willy Hernangomez 10 (4/6 2PT), Usman Garuba 10 (2/4 2PT, 3/6 FT, 6 REB).

Full game highlights:

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