Wrap-Up: Day 3 of FIBA

With Groups C and D taking the day off, Groups A and B were in the spotlight on the third day of the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

SPAIN:
With 5:42 left in the 4th quarter, a brass band in the arena started playing “When the Saints Go Marching In” and the Spanish fans erupted, as Spain punished a good Brazilian team to move to 3-0 in World Cup play. Mixing up zone and man, the Gasol brothers would not let the ball in to Tiago Splitter and forced Brazil’s guards to shoot threes. Spain jumped out to a 45-32 half time advantage. In the second half, the Gasol brothers took control yet again with Pau scoring 26 points (3/5 from the 3pt line).

Guards Ricky Rubio and John Carlos Navarro put on a show with their crafty ball handling. With a 3 from Machado, the lead was cut to 71-54 but that was as close as it would get. The Spanish defense was formidable shutting down Splitter, Hilario and Barbosa. Once Spain took away the baseline, it was over. Spain also out-rebounded the more athletic Brazil team 41/32. The game was somewhat turnover-free, with Spain turning it over 10 times to Brazil's 6.

Spain is the only team in Group A to be 3-0.

ADDITIONAL RESULTS: 

• France had a blowout over Egypt, winning 94-55 as Lauvergne once again had a strong game. The French join Serbia and Brazil at 2-1
• Gorgui Dieng scored 27 as Senegal upset Croatia 77-75
• Argentina escaped a great effort by the Philippines to win 85-81! Scola and Mata had 19 and 17, respectively. Between the two teams there were 65 attempted 3pt shots 
• The talented Greek team beat Puerto Rico 90-79 to be the only team in Group B at 3-0. Croatia, Argentina and upstart Senegal are at 2-1

Looking forward to watching Team USA and the Group C and D teams battle it out on Tuesday!