Italy lock up Germany in the fourth quarter to secure a victory / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

In a matchup between two European countries that qualified for the Olympics by winning their Qualification Tournaments, Italy (1-0) edged out Germany (0-1) 92-82 (22-32, 21-14, 25-26, 24-10).

Player of the Game EFF 19 Simone Fontecchio Points 20 Accuracy 7-13 Rebounds 4 Assists 2

Both teams started out strong, but neither gained an advantage at the start of the first quarter (14-14). However, Germany kept hitting 3-pointers (8 of 13 in the first quarter) and jumped out to a 22-32 lead after one.

Mo Wagner scored seven of Germany's first 11 points in the quarter, but Danilo Gallinari kept Italy within striking distance (33-43). Ten straight points by Riccardo Moraschini, Simone Fontecchio, and Stefano Tonut tied the game (43-43). However, Germany ended the quarter on a high note, with Maodo Lo hitting a three to give his team a lead going into halftime (43-46).

Lo continued his onslaught in the third period, scoring 10 of the first 13 points for Germany and giving them a double-digit lead again (43-53). But with the help of Nicolo Melli, Danilo Gallinari, and Simone Fontecchio, Italy gained their first lead of the second half (63-62). Germany answered with a 7-0 run and had a four-point advantage before the final period (68-72).

After four straight points by Tonut, Italy were once again ahead (80-79). Melli and Fontecchio added two straight threes, and Italy gained a four-point lead with 3:12 to go (86-82). Germany struggled to find shots and did not score a single point during the final 4:45 minutes. Italy gained their largest lead to finish the game 92-82.

Germany: Maodo Lo 24, Isaac Bonga 13, Moritz Wagner 12, Andreas Obst 12.

Italy: Simone Fontecchio 20, Danilo Gallinari 18, Stefano Tonut 18, Nicolo Melli 13.

UP NEXT:

Germany will face Nigeria at 4:00 (EEST) on Wednesday.

Italy will go up against Australia at 11:20 (EEST) on Wednesday.

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