POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Nisre Zouzoua
Cote d'Ivoire - Iran 71-69
Cote d'Ivoire clinched the first win at the 2023 World Cup. They outlasted Iran in the intense battle in Jakarta tonight. Nisre Zouzoua (188-G-1996, college: Nevada) scored 17 points to lead the winners.
Iran grabbed a 20-15 lead after the opening frame. But Cote d'Ivoire bounced back with a 22-15 rally in the second frame to eke out a 37-35 halftime advantage. Iran were back in the driver's seat in the third period. They established a 56-54 lead heading into the fourth period. It all came down to the final seconds in this one. Maxence Dadiet (192-PG-1999) gave the African side a 66-63 lead with a three-pointer with under four minutes to go. But Iran regained the lead on a Arsalan Kazemi (200-SF-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG)'s lay-up with 13 seconds to go 69-68. Souleyman Diabate (183-PG-1987, agency: Interperformances) got fouled on the other end and converted three free throws to make it 71-69 with 6 seconds left. Behnam Yakhchali (196-SG-1995, agency: BIG) tried to save the game for Iran but his triple rimmed out as Cote d'Ivoire got away with a tough win. Amadou Sidibe (203-F/C-1994, college: Fairfield, agency: Players Group) and Maxence Dadiet produced 10 points each for Cote d'Ivoire. Behnam Yakhchali answered with 19 points, while Mohammad Amini (202-G-2005, agency: BIG) had 15 points for Iran.
Tags : NISRE ZOUZOUA, WORLD CUP BASKETBALL, USA NATIONAL TEAM
