EUROBASKET QUALIFIERS

Orhan Haciyeva had a big double-double to carry Azerbaijan past Sweden

Azerbaijan stayed firmly in the hunt for a spot in next year's EuroBasket by winning at home against Sweden on Wednesday.

Hammered in the first meeting on 21 August, 96-79, Azerbaijan bounced back to prevail 82-76 and improved to 4-3 in the process.

The visitors couldn't stop Orhan Haciyeva, who had 28 points and 13 rebounds.

The hosts' defense also wreaked havoc, forcing Sweden to turn the ball over 28 times.

Sweden point guard Thomas Massamba and Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko were the biggest culprits on the turnover front with eight apiece.

The contest was knotted at 58-58 late in the third quarter when Charles Davis hit a jump shot for the home side.

That started a 7-0 run that Rasim Bashak completed with a jumper.

Jerebko poured in six straight points to bring Sweden right back but Haciyeva replied with two straight baskets for the hosts.

Sweden got no closer than three points the rest of the way.

The Swedes slumped to 3-3 with the defeat.