EUROBASKET QUALIFIERS

Estonia used a balanced offence as they eased to a 95-74 win over the Slovak Republic in their EuroBasket qualifying campaign opener.

Janar Talts scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead five players in double figures, with Kristjan Kangur adding 15 points, Gregor Arbet 14, Gert Dorbek 11 and Reinar Hallik 10.

Janar Talts led five Estoni players in double figures

Estonia took control early, with a short 7-2 spurt making it 21-13 on Talts' jump-shot with 2:17 left in the opening quarter before Arbet's dunk took the lead into double figures, 26-15 moments later.

The Slovaks ralled in the second quarter, and an 11-2 run saw them tie it up at 40-40 on Anton Gavel's lay-up with 2:28 left in the second period.

But Estonia's response was swift and decisive, with eight straight points carrying them clear once more as Talts made it 48-40 with 1:26 left in the half.

The lead hit 67-52 on Hallik's three-pointer late in the third and passed 20 for the first time when Arbet's dunk made it 85-64 with five minutes to go.

Arbet hit a three to make it 93-68 with 2:14 to go.

Jozef Vojtek led the Slovaks with 13 points while Robert Nuber had 12 and Dusan Pandula 10.