Boxscores

NOVI SAD (FIBA U19 World Championship) - Xavi Forcada poured in 23 points and Victor Claver 19 as Spain rolled to a 97-80 triumph over Korea to clinch top spot in Group D.

Both teams have advanced to the eight-finals, however, after Argentina whipped Puerto Rico in their game to send the latter crashing to their third straight setback.

The Spanish were finding it difficult against Korea early on, with the Asian team knocking down a trio of three-balls in the first quarter.

At the end of that frame, they trailed 19-16.

After Yongwoong Kwon scored for Korea to cut Spain’s lead to 19-18 at the start of the second period, Spain went on a 10-1 run.

That used that run as a platform for victory.

By half-time, Forcada had scored 12 of his points and Spain led 49-34.

Juan Cabot’s lay-up stretched the lead to 17 to start the third quarter, but Korea were far from done.

They battled all the way back to 59-54 after a Yoomin Park jumper, but Spain immediately replied with a 15-2 run and they marched to victory.

FIBA