Belgium (2-0) became the only undefeated team in Group A of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers by taking down the visiting Serbia (1-1) 73-69 (13-21, 16-20, 25-22, 19-6).
The hosts showed spirit in the fourth quarter, going on a 13-2 run to gain a one-point advantage with less than four minutes remaining (66-65). Filip Petrusev tied the game at 69, but Ismael Bako answered with a 3-pointer with 57 seconds remaining (72-69).
Milos Teodosic had two chances to tie the game, but his long-range jumpers were off the mark, Van Rossom converted both free throws and Belgium celebrated a four-point win.
Serbia pulled away from Belgium in the first period, going on a 12-4 run, capped off by two straight 3-pointers by Teodosic. The visitors extended their lead to 14 in the second period (36-22), ending the half with a substantial advantage (41-29).
Ismael Bako and Sam Van Rossom led Belgium to a 9-0 run to start the third quarter (38-41), but Serbia weathered the storm, going into the final period up by nine (63-54).
Sam Van Rossom led Belgium with 20 (5/9 2PT, 3/7 3PT, 1/2 FT), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, and 17 PIR.
Aleksa Avramovic was the best man for Serbia with 19 points (6/7 2PT, 1/7 3PT, 4/4 FT), 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers, and 22 PIR.
In the previous round, Serbia edged out Latvia, while Belgium blew out Slovakia.
Belgium: Sam Van Rossom 20, Ismael Bako 14 (11 REB), Jean-Marc Mwema 11 (6 REB), Retin Obasohan 10.
Serbia: Aleksa Avramovic 19, Filip Petrusev 16, Milos Teodosic 14 (8 AST), Dusan Ristic 8 (6 REB).
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