Santi Aldama shines, Usman Garuba leaves with injury as Spain cruise past Slovenia / News - Basketnews.com

Santi Aldama recorded 18 points in Spain's comfortable win over Slovenia. However, the status of Usman Garuba remains in doubt due to ankle injury.

Credit: Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images Credit Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images

The Spanish Basketball Federation invited Slovenia and Team USA to the Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga to celebrate its 100 years of existence.

In the tournament's inaugural game, the squad coached by Sergio Scariolo didn't surpass the 100-point mark against the 2017 EuroBasket champs, who collapsed after a dominant first quarter. Spain still poured in 99 points en route to an easy 99-79 win over Slovenia.

Santi Aldama recorded another impressive showing with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Juancho Hernagomez scored 12 points in the first 20 minutes and finished with 17, while his bother Willy added another 17 plus 5 rebounds.

On the other end, Luka Doncic stayed on the court for 17 minutes due to foul trouble. He finished the contest with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 dimes. Klemen Prepelic had 11 points, Mike Tobey and Gregor Hrovat 10, and Jaka Blazic 10 for the losing side.

Slovenia went off to an impressive start, leading by as many as 11 (19-8) after four minutes of play, since they made all of their first five 3-point attempts. The hosts were struggling on both ends, unable to stop their opponents from distance. The bad news for Sergio Scariolo was Usman Garuba's ankle injury.

With 2'20'' left in the first quarter, the OKC big man stumbled after an offensive rebound against Mike Tobey and had to be carried off the court by Victor Claver and Klemen Prepelic.

Spain moved the ball better and saw Alberto Diaz and the Hernangomez brothers provide some necessary scoring punch. Santi Aldama was a force to be reckoned with following Garuba's exit and the EuroBasket champs took the upper hand. In the second half, Slovenia failed to close the gap, trailing 10 (41-51) at halftime, but Spain couldn't break the game open.

That happened in the game's closing chapters, as Luka Doncic stayed on the bench longer than usual and Prepelic was left alone to try to keep his side afloat.

Slovenia will take on Team USA at 21:30 CET Saturday, while the tournament's last game will feature USA and Spain on Sunday night.

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