Slovenia remained unbeaten at the FIBA Basketball World Cup after defeating minnows South Korea 89:72 (19:21, 40:39, 70:56) in Las Palmas on Tuesday in game three of the preliminary round. Slovenia's NBA point guard Goran Dragić was the player of the match with 22 points
Slovenia is on track to finish first in the preliminary group, the position that is likely to bring an easier opponent in the elimination round and a possible match with the reigning champions US only in the semi-finals.
Slovenia struggled with the pesky Koreans in the first half, but regrouped in the second to secure a comfortable lead and show who is who on the global basketball map.
South Korea was slightly ahead of Slovenia for a majority of the first half, taking advantage of Slovenia's poor shooting and sluggish defence. The Slovenians however managed to get to the intermission with a lead (40:39).
After hearing it from coach Jure Zdovc in the locker room, Slovenia were more aggressive in the second half, quickly building a 16-point lead with good shooting from the perimeter and never letting the Koreans come close.
Dragić led Slovenia with 22 points and four assists and four other players scored in double digits, with centre Alen Omić chipping in 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds against the undersized Korean team.
Guard Domen Lorbek said that the team needed some time to adapt to the aggressive and quick play by the Koreans. "Games like these are the most difficult, when you have to win. There was too much pressure".
Slovenia will play Angola on Wednesday and wrap-up the preliminary round in Group D with the match against Lithuania on Thursday.
Source: The Slovenia Times
Photo Source: Want News
