Ukraine (2-2) eased past Georgia (3-2) in the FIBA World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers with the final score of 79-66 (23-20, 24-14, 13-10, 19-22) at home, which they played in Riga, Latvia.
Arena Riga is a temporary home for the Ukrainian national team due to the ongoing war in the home country.
Ukraine has gained a double-digit lead during a run in the second quarter and has not looked back, retaining a double-digit lead most of the game.
After the Toronto Raptors forward Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk's layup, Ukraine gained a 14-point lead (40-26) with 4:41 to go in the second quarter.
Georgia tried to mount a comeback during the fourth quarter. After Thaddus McFadden's layup with 1:59 left in the game, Georgia cut down the deficit to 9 points, but Ukraine remained in control.
Issuf Sanon shut down the visiting team's chances to win the game with a 3-point fadeaway with 1:10 left in the fourth quarter.
Ukraine was led to the victory by Nanterre 92 big man Vyacheslav Bobrov, who finished the game with 17 points (3/3 2PT, 2/3 3PT, 5/7 FT), and 8 rebounds.
For Georgia, Tornike Shengelia led the way with 21 points (8/14 2PT, 0/2 3PT, 5/9 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block.
Ukraine: Vyacheslav Bobrov 17 (8 REB), Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk 16 (6 REB, 7 TO), Ivan Tkachenko 9, Artem Pustovyi 8 (6 REB).
Georgia: Thaddus McFadden 22, Tornike Shengelia 21 (5 REB), Giorgi Shermadini 7 (11 REB).
Highlights
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