| 18.08.2012 EUROBASKET QUALIFIERS  | | Oleksiy Pecherov led a balanced Ukraine offense in a low-scoring game, with 11 points |
Ukraine's fourth quarter rally lifted them to a 61-57 victory over Austria as they improved to 2-0 at the top of Group B in the EuroBasket Qualification Round. In a back-and-fourth contest, Austria had led 55-48 with less than seven minutes left, but Ukraine finished on a 13-2 charge to take the win. Sergii Gladyr began the charge with back-to-back three-pointers. Rasid Mahalbasic replied for Austria, but Ukraine were level on Stiven Bertt's three with 4:34 to go. Missed shots piled up for both sides in a frantic and often ugly finish, but Oleksiy Pecherov ended a three-minute drought for both teams with a dunk 86 seconds from time and late free throws saw Ukraine over the line. Austria had led by as many as 11 in the third quarter, up 47-36 on Moritz Lanegger's dunk with 3:40 left in the period but Ukraine went on a 12-4 charge to close the gap going into the final stanza. It was a balanced attack from Ukraine, with Pecherov the only player to score in double figures - and then just barely - with 11, while Gladyr had nine and Bertt eight. Austria got 18 from Davor Lamesic and 17 from Mahalbasic. |