EUROBASKET QUALIFIERS

Austria came through in overtime to open their EuroBasket qualifying campaign with an 89-86 win over Cyprus.

The hosts enjoyed a huge second half to come from 43-29 down at half-time to force the extra period, but Austria finished on an 11-5 run to take the win.

It was hard luck on Cyprus, who wiped out a 10-point deficit in the final three minutes of regulation to take it to overtime.

Austria led 69-59 when Anton Maresch split a pair of freet throws with 3:17 to go, but Christopher Razis hit back with a three-pointer for Cyprus to start a 10-0 run to the finish.

Panagiotis Trisokkas split a pair of free throws and Anthony King then scored six straight, including the tying lay-up 17 seconds from time.

The teams traded blows to start the extra period but Cyprus were up 81-78 when Razis hit a three-pointer with 98 seconds to go.

Davor Lamesic replied with a jump-shot and after Razis missed another three, Jason Detrick took the lead back for Austria.

An Aristides Koronides turnover led to a Moritz Laneggar dunk to make it 84-81 and Lamesic sank two free throws to stretch the lead further.

Trisokkas made a pair for Cyprus, but Laneggar held his nerve to sink two more and make it 88-83 with 15 seconds left, and Cyprus could not find a way back.

Detrick led Austria with 20 points while Lamesic poured in 18 and Rasid Mahalbasic 17.

King had 23 points for Cyprus and Andreas Pilavas 21.