Azerbaijan, Andorra inscribe second wins in Group B

ANDORRA LA VELLA (FIBA U16 European Championship 2017, Division C) - Andorra and Azerbaijan were the only teams to improve to 2-0 marks at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2017, Division C on Monday, putting forward solid Semi-Final bids in Group B merely two days into the tournament.

Despite getting off to a slow start in the first quarter, Azerbaijan ultimately handled their business with relative ease against Albania, inscribing a 78-66 victory behind Papuna Kirtadze's big double-double of 27 points and 18 rebounds.

Azerbaijan made it two wins in a row against Albania

His teammate Tsotne Nodia chipped in with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners, while Ergys Muhametaj was the biggest contributor for the Albanian side with 27 points and 9 boards.

Andorra earned their second win against San Marino, who did not play on opening day, leaving things late with a 62-61 victory thanks to a late made free-throw by Sergi Serrano. Oriol Betrian finished the game with 14 points and 6 rebounds, Iker Cruz added 12 points and 8 boards, while Tommaso Felici scored a game-high 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for San Marino.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Tejon scored 30 points, picked up 15 rebounds and handed out 7 assists to guide Gibraltar to an 85-55 victory over Moldova in Group A, with Stanislav Cocorev collecting 33 points and 11 boards in a losing effort.

Gibraltar bounced back with a win

Wales also got their victory count to tick over after losing to the Moldovans the day before, outlasting Malta 47-43 in a low-scoring contest with only one player in each team reaching double figures.

Benjamin Thomas had 17 points and 18 rebounds for Wales, while Malta captain Nathan Xuereb double-doubled with 13 points, 16 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 assists.

FIBA