FIBA World Cup Round Of 16: Brazil Routs Argentina

Brazil erupted for 52 points in the second half, roaring back from a three-point halftime deficit to rout Argentina Sunday 85-65 in the round of 16 of the FIBA World Cup in Madrid.

Argentina (3-3) led by as many as eight points in the first half, but Brazil (5-1) began to chip away at the lead late in the second quarter, getting it to 36-33 at the break by scoring six of the final eight points in the half.

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Brazil took control quickly in the second half, opening the third quarter on a 15-3 run capped by Leandro Barbosa’s layup with 4:11 to go in the period.

A 3-pointer by Walter Herrmann brought Argentina back to within four, 51-47, with 2:45 to go in the quarter, but Brazil responded with six straight points and led 57-49 at the period’s end.

A 9-0 run in the fourth quarter pushed the Brazilian’s lead to 20, 75-55, with 3:42 to go.

Raulzinho Neto scored 21 points to lead Brazil. Marcus Vieira added 13 points and eight rebounds, while Barbosa—of the Golden State Warriors—and Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs each scored 10 points, with Splitter adding eight boards. Anderson Varejao of the Cleveland Cavaliers finished with nine rebounds and four assists to go with eight points and Nene of the Washington Wizards went for four assists and two blocked shots while scoring seven points.

Pablo Prigioni of the New York Knicks scored 18 points for Argentina. Facundo Campazzo added 11 and Selem Safar scored 10. Luis Scola of the Indiana Pacers, Argentina’s leading scorer in the group stage at 21.6 points per game, was held to nine points and seven rebounds.

Brazil had a 39-26 edge on the boards and shot 53.3 percent to just 39.3 percent for Argentina.

Brazil advances to face Serbia in a quarterfinal Wednesday in Madrid.

FIBA World Cup Round Of 16: Brazil Roars Back, Routs Argentina

By Phil Watson | Sep 7, 2014