World University Games: USA lays marker

Day 4 of the World University Games saw action across Group C and Group D, with the USA and Ukraine maintained their unbeaten records, while the chasing pack maintained their chase to the next round.

Group C

Romania went big with a 103-71 win over United Arab Emirates to open its win account at the World University Games. The game started as it went on with a 26-17 first quarter for Romania. The team kept the momentum for the remainder of the game, scoring over 20 points in each quarter. Mario Lazar led the win with a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Team USA also dropped more than a hundred points on its way to a third consecutive win. USA downed Czech Republic 78-107 to remain unbeaten at the top of Group C. It was a cruising victory as Vincent Edwards scored 22 points. USA led from the first points to the final buzzer, with Issac Haas adding 17 points.

Argentina had a tougher test against Estonia, but used a 78-65 success to move to 2-1 alongside the surprise package Estonians. Despite the Europeans never going away, Argentina led throughout and pushed a victory through every frame, leading 40-33 through the long break. Erik Thomas claimed a double-double of 23 points and 10 boards in the game.

Group D

Lithuania was excellent in dishing a massive defeat on Mozambique. A 35-122 victory will live long in the memory and move Lithuania to 2-1 in Group D. Seven players topped 10 points in the victory, with two double-double games. Lithuania held Mozambique to just three points in the second quarter and drained 44 points in the fourth act to storm to the win.

Ukraine stayed unbeaten through three games with a 72-65 win over arch rival Russia in Taipei at the World University Games. A nervy and low scoring first half ended with Ukraine leading 33-26 and the team rarely looked back as they maintained a deficit in the second half, including 27 points to close the contest.