EUROBASKET QUALIFIERS

Danilo Gallinari led the way for Italy with 16 points and 12 rebounds

Italy thumped Belarus 83-58 on Saturday to finish their EuroBasket Qualification Round campaign unbeaten and looking like a team that's on the rise.

Belarus never went in front against the Azzurri, who were led by Danilo Gallinari's 16 points and 12 rebounds and won for the eighth time.

The Italians were knotted at 11-11 when Angelo Gigli scored with a lay-up and captain Stefano Mancinelli followed with a three-pointer.

That spurt put Simone Pianigiani's team in front to stay.

With 6:00 remaining in the first half, the Italy advantage was 38-23 and they pressed home the advantage the rest of the way.

Pietro Aradori had 12 points and Mancinelli 10 for the Italians.

Belarus dropped to 1-6 with the defeat.