POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Jermaine Barnes
Group A
Tonga - Santiago Basket 93-65
Tonga topped Group A. National import Jermaine Barnes (193-G/F-83, college: Point, GA) caught fire after struggling the opening 2 rounds. Barnes scored a game high 30 points while grabbing 8 rebounds. Steffon Bradford (198-F/C-78, college: Nebraska) added 20 points and 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Keith Closs (224-C-77, college: Cent.Conn.St.) continued his great play with 15 points 20 rebounds and 9 rebounds in the win. Ameth Gil scored 15 points in a losing effort for Santiago.
Top scorers:
Tonga: J. Barnes 30+8reb+4ast, S. Bradford 20+9reb+8ast, K. Closs 15+20reb+9ast
Santiago: G.Ameth 25+5reb+3ast, J.Ball 16+9reb+1blk
Atlanta Blaze - Plaza 82-71
Atlanta Blaze secure their final four spot Saturday night. They defeated Plaza giving them their first loss. Ayinde Russell (190-G, college: Morehouse) scored 27 points to lead the charge. Blaze posted a 32:14 lead ten minutes into the game. Plaza pulled within 7 points at the final intermission however Blaze knocked down 23 points in the fourth period to ice the win. Mark Allen (190-G, college: Mt.St.Joseph) added 22 points for the winners. Oliver Garcia (188-G-96) scored 24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for Plaza.
Top scorers:
Blaze: A. Russell 27+5reb+5ast, M. Allen 22+7reb+2ast
Plaza: O. Garcia 24+6reb+7ast, B.Garcia 14+5reb+1blk
Cleveland Havok - Fenix 73-88
Fenix overcame the Havok to secure their Final Four appearance. Yensi Jimenez delivered 13 points and 8 assists to lead the effort. Fenix accumulated a 46:37 halftime lead. Fenix went on a 24:8 run in the third term to clear off for good. Bijan Dotson (203-F/C-88, college: W.Texas A&M) netted 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the loss.
Top scorers:
Havok: B. Dotson 21+13reb+2ast, J.P. Davis 19+6reb+6ast
Fenix: Y. Jimenez 13+5reb+8ast
