Two teams left with a perfect record, Azerbaijan survive a late San Marino scare

NICOSIA (FIBA U16 European Championship 2016 Division C) - Cyprus and Moldova are the only two unbeaten teams after Day 3 after disposing their opponents by a combined 66-point margin.

Cyprus had led by nine at the half against Malta, before switching gears and running away with a 36-16 second half in a 72-43 win. The winners dominated in offensive rebounds (35-4), second-chance points (21-5), and especially in points from turnovers, as they scored 40 points off 41 Malta turnovers. Malta only had 13 points off 26 Cypriot turnovers.

Rafail Papaioannou had 16 points in 15 minutes for Cyprus, hitting 8-of-11 from the field. Viktor Christofidis finished with 11 points, Rovertos Alexandrou added ten more for the 3-0 Cyprus side. Myron Jose Agius had 11 for Malta, who stand at 1-1 in Group A.

In the same group, Azerbaijan held on for a 63-60 triumph over San Marino. Azerbaijan saw their 11-point lead erased in the fourth quarter, but Saadettin Donat grabbed the most important offensive rebound and his three-point play put the game out of San Marino's reach at 62-57. Pietro Ugolini connected on a three-pointer, but Giacomo Nicolini could not follow his lead on the final possession.

Donat finished the game with 23 points, 15 rebounds and all five Azerbaijani blocks. Papuna Kirtadze also had a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards, Alex Akhundov joined the party with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Ugolini was the lone star for San Marino, collecting 28 points and 10 rebounds.

In Group B, Moldova defeated Gibraltar 77-40. The lead was 16 after the first quarter, and it just kept on growing with a 38-16 second half. Alexandru Fadin and Ivan Popovschi joined forces to collect 36 points for the group leaders. Alejandro Garcia had 16 points and 12 rebounds for Gibraltar.

Armenia broke Albania's resistance with a 19-9 final quarter in a 57-47 win in Group B. Gurgen Melikyan had 21 points in Armenia's first win of the championship, to keep their hopes of reaching the Semi-Finals alive.

FIBA