Belgium defeated Italy 75-64 for their second triumph to clinch a place in the second group phase.

Fresh off their 62-45 Group D thumping of Germany, Diels Arvid's team ran onto the court and threatened to deliver a first-quarter knockout against the Italians.

Belgium outscored their opponents 23-11 in the opening frame and still led 38-28 at half-time.

Italy closed to 45-39 in the third quarter after Chiara Pastore and Valeria Battisodo each made two free throws.

Gianni Lambruschi's team would then go on a 12-0 spurt to tie the game at 54-54 with 8:54 to play.

Alessandra Visconti and Sara Giorgi both nailed three-pointers in the run.

Marjorie Carpreaux's two shots from the charity stripe, however, ignited an 11-0 run for Belgium that put them in control for good.

Power forward Sara Leemans paced the Belgians with 25 points while Visconti had 15 in defeat.
Italy must defeat Germany on Sunday to seal a place in the next phase.