Russia beats New Zealand 78-56 to gain quarters

ISTANBUL (AP) -- Russia reached the quarterfinals of basketball's world championships against the United States, beating New Zealand 78-56 Monday after Andrey Vorontsevich had 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Timofey Mozgov , Russia's 2.16-meter (7-foot-1) center who recently signed for the New York Knicks, added 16 points and seven rebounds. Russia outrebounded New Zealand 41-25 and had five blocks to the Kiwis' one.

Kirk Penney led New Zealand with 21 points.

Russia used a 13-0 run to jump ahead 29-21 in the second quarter. In the second half, a frontline led by Vorontsevich overpowered a much smaller New Zealand.

"We played great defence," Vorontsevich said. "We played like a giant fist."

New Zealand power forward Pero Cameron agreed.

"Defensively, Russia pushed us out of what we wanted to do and sometimes we settled for the outside shot a little early," he said.

It was the teams' second meeting. In 2002, New Zealand beat Russia 90-81 on the way to its record fourth-place finish at the worlds in Indianapolis.

Russia next plays Thursday, pitting coach David Blatt against his native country in what could be his final game after five years as Russia coach.

"I remember watching as a kid and crying when the U.S. lost to the Soviets in the 1972 Olympics," Blatt said. "It's kind of a circle of irony. It is kind of special and not a little bit sad."

Russia went to halftime leading 31-27, having trailed 21-18 and allowing New Zealand only seven field goals in 24 attempts.

Having forced New Zealand's best players to the bench, including Penney, Russia had a 22-10 rebound advantage after halftime.

"We really focused on attacking inside and we did get them in foul trouble," Blatt said.