JERUSALEM, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Israel's national basketball team completed a second friendly victory over Romania after winning 105-61 in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening.
It was Israel's fifth consecutive win in preparation for the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket tournament, after they had beaten NCAA side Auburn Tigers at home, won twice over Georgia in Tbilisi, and trounced Romania 112-61 at Shlomo Group Arena in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
In the second meeting between the two sides, played in the same arena in front of 3,000 fans, point guard Lucas Tohatan inspired the visitors to a surprising 29-23 lead at the end of the first quarter.
However, an impressive 26-0 run, led by point guard Yam Madar and forward Nimrod Levi, completely turned the game around for Israel on their way to a 54-37 advantage at half-time.
The Israeli run was increased to 35-0 in the third quarter, and the hosts raced ahead 84-46 at the end of the third quarter.
Madar scored a team-high 18 points, while Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija, Roman Sorkin and Levi added 12 points each. Rolland Torok scored 18 for the visitors.
The EuroBasket 2022 will begin on September 1 with four six-team groups, and group matches will be played in Tbilisi, Cologne, Milan and Prague. ■
