Russia Rolls Into Quarterfinals

Nikita Morgunov scored 17 points today to lead Russia to an 88-65 victory over Angola, clinching a quarterfinal berth in men’s basketball.

Russia (3-2) could finish as high as second or as low as fourth in Group B depending on the outcome of other games today.

Angola (0-5) stayed with Russia for the opening 10 minutes, trailing, 22-21. But Russia went on an 11-5 run in the next six minutes with six of the points coming on free throws as it established the low presence.

Andrei Kirilenko had 11 points and nine rebounds for Russia, which finished with a 44-25 advantage on the boards and had assists on 21 of its 29 field goals.

David Dias had 14 points for Angola, which will play New Zealand for 11th place on Tuesday.

Lithuania 85, New Zealand 75--Dainius Adomaitis was four of five on three-point shots and scored 20 points to lead Lithuania (3-2), which finished third in Group A but had to wait for later games to find out its matchup.

Lithuania was only one of five from three-point range in the first half as it took a 36-33 lead. Adomaitis made all four of his three-point attempts in the second half as Lithuania, the bronze medal winners in the last two Olympics, stayed in front by making eight of 10 from beyond the arc.

Six players scored in double figures for Lithuania, which won despite committing 21 turnovers.

Sean Marks had 21 points for New Zealand, making its Olympic debut.

Except for a 46-point loss to the United States, New Zealand’s losses were all by between 10 and 16 points.

China 85, Italy 76--Li Nan scored 25 points on six-of-seven three-point shooting to lead China (2-3) in a game that had no bearing on the Group A standings. China shot 67% (34 of 51) and made 13 of 19 three-pointers.

Italy (3-2), in the Olympic tournament for the first time since a fifth-place finish in 1984, will finish second to the U.S. team in the group.

Alessandro Abbibo had 15 points for Italy, which shot 53% (33 of 62).

China is making its seventh Olympic appearance and has never advanced to the quarterfinals. It will play for ninth place on Tuesday.