Relegation Roundup

by Dan Casey

Tournament top-scorer Aleksandar Vezenkov erupted for 40 points in Bulgaria's first win

Bulgaria claimed their first win in the U16 European Championship Men and sent Montenegro to Division B with a 98-64 win in Hradec Kralove.

Aleksandar Vezenkov was phenomenal in the victory, scoring 40 points and adding 10 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

A second-quarter blitz capped by Vassil Stoimenov's jump-shot gave Bulgaria a 43-30 half-time lead.

And a 17-0 run for Bulgaria in the third quarter pushed the deficit up to 32 points at the end of the period.

Stoimenov ended with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals in a fantastic all-round performance to complement Vezenkov. Luka Savic led Montenegro with 16 points and 7 rebounds.

In the other game, Lithuania confirmed 13th place in the tournament with a 98-57 crushing of Poland. Shooting 49% compared to their opponents 37%, Lithuania also dominated the boards (46-29) and forced Poland into 28 turnovers on their way to a comprehensive victory.

The lead was already 42-28 at half-time, and Lithuania poured in 33 points in the third quarter to underline their superiority. Poland's Division A status for next year was confirmed by Montenegro's defeat earlier in the day.

Six players had double-digit point totals for the Lithuanian team, led by Aidas Kavaliauskas with 15 points, 13 assists, 8 rebounds and 7 steals. Mikolaj Witlinski top-scored for Poland with 15 points.