Lithuania beat South Korea 83-81 at basketball challenge

Forward Linus Kleiza of the Denver Nuggets scored 12 points Saturday to help Lithuania defeat South Korea 83-81 at the World Basketball Challenge.

Kleiza scored six points in the fourth quarter when the Lithuanians outscored their opponents 25-22 en route to their first win of the tournament.

The United States is taking part in the event as part of its preparations for the FIBA World Championship starting Aug. 19 in Japan.

The U.S. team practiced Saturday and will play Lithuania on Aug. 13 and South Korea on Aug. 15.

South Korea got 20 points from starter Seung Jin-ha and led 40-37 at the break but couldn't hold the taller Lithuanians in the second half.

In Saturday's final game, Turkey defeated Italy 72-61 to improve to 1-1. Italy is 0-1.

Source: Xinhua