U16 Men Group C

Ivars Zvigurs contributed 10 points and 6 rebounds to Latvia's win over Ukraine

Latvia consigned Ukraine to a second defeat and improved to 2-0 with a 71-61 win in Pardubice.

Davis Geks scored a team-high 14 points, and Kristaps Plavnieks dished out 7 assists and grabbed 3 steals in the win.

Vadym Prokopenko reached a double-double with 13 rebounds and a game-high 21 points on 8-11 shooting for Ukraine, but the team suffered too many turnovers and Latvia were able to pull away at the end.

Latvia had begun well, taking a 22-16 first quarter lead behind a three-pointer from Kristaps Gluditis with 0:04 remaining.

But Ukraine responded with a strong second period, Prokopenko notching 12 points in the quarter before a tip-in by Nils Gertsons at the half-time buzzer put Latvia ahead 42-41 at the break.

The third quarter was low-scoring, and Gluditis broke a 52-52 tie with a three-point play to give Latvia the lead heading to the final period.

Latvia then held the Ukrainian team scoreless for 5:01 in the final quarter to ensure that the finish was not too nervous.

Ukraine will play Lithuania in their final Group C game tomorrow, and will need to win to advance to the Qualifying Round.