EUROBASKET QUALIFIERS

Rasid Mahalbasic has been Austria's top scorer so far in the Qualification Round, averaging 16.9 points

Austria have been playing well all summer in the EuroBasket Qualification Round and on Wednesday night, they were rewarded.

Nedeljko Asceric's team romped to a 97-81 victory over Hungary.

Leading from start to finish and going on top by 19 points late in the contest, the Austrians won for the third time, beating a team other than Cyprus in Group C.

Austria had pushed Ukraine, Hungary and Croatia hard in earlier games so their victory on Wednesday will have come as no surprise.

The margin of the win, however, will raise eyebrows.

Austria's 21-year-old center, Rasid Mahalbasic, turned in another solid effort with 21 points and seven rebounds.

Thomas Schreiner's 20 points and nine assists were also big in the winning effort.

For Hungary, who are coached by Laszlo Ratgeber, the team was lead by Adam Hanga's 20 points.

The Hungarians (2-4) allowed Austria to shoot 12 of 24 (50%) from long range and the hosts also out-rebounded them, 40-28.