EUROBASKET QUALIFIERS

Azerbaijan avoided a third successive defeat to get their EuroBasket qualifying campaign back on track with a comfortable 95-77 home success against winless Luxembourg in Group B.

Bouncing back from losses to Germany and Sweden, the victory was achieved thanks mainly to a stellar display by Orhan Haciyeva who finished the contest with a magnificent double-double of 25 points and 21 rebounds.

Struggling Luxembourg competed impressively during the opening exchanges, managing to stop the hosts from streaking away at 16-13 after a bright first quarter.

But, they eventually began to get worn down inside and Azerbaijan grabbed 28 points inside the paint during the first half, meaning the visitors found themselves trailing by double-digits at 46-36.

Luxembourg were still clinging on heading into the locker rooms, due to a terrific three of four triples from Raul Birenbaum who continued to give his team hope heading into the second half.

However, as hard as they tried, Luxembourg couldn't make up the difference, having briefly narrowed to within just five points and consequently Azerbaijan were happy to take a welcome boost in their quest to make it to Slovenia next summer.

Aleksandr Rindin was ruthlessly efficient for the winning team on his way to 18 points, managing to achieve his tally from eight of nine floor shooting while Jaycee Carrol also matched the feat of Haciyeva with 26 points and 11 rebounds.