Not even another fabulous performance from Bulgaria’s star scorer Chavdar Kostov could do much to stop the Serbia & Montenegro juggernaut.

Kostov scored a tournament-best 39 points but Serbia & Montenegro jumped out to a 20-10 start and never trailed from then on to win the quarter-final round match-up 93-82.

		Petar Despotovic was one of six players to score nine or more points for Serbia & Montenegro.

Kostov, entering play averaging 30.8 ppg, was 12-of-17 overall from the field (5-of-9 from three-point range) and 10-of-13 from the foul line.

The 196-cm guard is now averaging over 32 a contest.

“I’m just playing my game and I feel comfortable out on the floor,” said Kostov.

“But my points don’t mean anything if we lose. I’d rather score 20 and win than score 39 and lose.”

The other impressive performance on the night came from Serbia & Montenegro’s team effort. 

They controlled the game and led by double-digits throughout the contest to record their fourth consecutive one-sided victory.

Six players scored at least nine points and Serbia & Montenegro controlled the glass, out-rebounding Bulgaria 41-22.

“We have to play collectively to win,” said Serbia & Montenegro coach Jovica Arsic.

“An example is Kostov. He scored 39 points but the team lost.”

Still, Arsic was impressed with the hot shooting guard’s offensive performance and the way he was able to score in a plethora of ways.

“He is an extremely confident player and an unbelievable shooter.”

Vladmir Dasic led Serbia & Montenegro with 23 points.

Serbia & Montenegro entered play having defeated their opponents by an average margin of 23.1 points a contest and have now won all four of their games thus far in convincing fashion.

“There have been lots of surprises and anything can happen, so we are not over confident,” said Arsic.

“We have to continue playing as a team and good defense.”