FIBA World Cup Round Of 16: The Other Dragic Leads Slovenia
By Phil Watson
Zoran Dragic scored 18 points to lead Slovenia to a 71-61 win over the Dominican Republic Saturday in a round of 16 matchup at the FIBA World Cup in Barcelona.
Slovenia (5-1) led 38-28 at the half, but the Dominican Republic (2-4) wouldn’t go away.
The Dominicans twice got as close as two points in the fourth quarter, the last time when Ronald Ramon knocked down a 3-pointer with 6:16 to go that cut Slovenia’s lead to 57-55.
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The Slovenians responded with six straight points—baskets by Goran Dragic of the Phoenix Suns, Doman Lorbek and Zoran Dragic, Goran’s younger brother—to go up 63-55 with 4:18 remaining.
Back-to-back baskets by Zoran Dragic gave Slovenia a 67-57 edge with 1:48 to go and another basket by Zoran answered a pair of free throws by Eulis Baez to make it a 10-point lead once more inside the final minute of play.
In addition to 18 points, Zoran Dragic had four steals. Goran Dragic added 12 points and six assists for Slovenia. Uros Slokar had six rebounds and scored nine points.
James Feldeine led the Dominicans with 18 points and also had eight rebounds. Jack Michael Martinez added 12 points, 11 boards and three steals. Francisco Garcia of the Houston Rockets, who averaged more than 20 points a game during group play, was limited by foul trouble to just seven points, but blocked two shots.
Slovenia will play the United States in a quarterfinal on Tuesday.