Spain's Astou Ndour (45) shoots past Serbia's Krajisnik (33) during a women's basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
SAITAMA, Japan (AP) - Alba Torrens scored 25 points to lead Spain to an 85-70 win over Serbia on Thursday.
Cristina Ouvina added 10 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to help Spain (2-0) remain unbeaten in group play.
It was a matchup of women's basketball silver and bronze medalists at the Rio Olympics. Spain finished second and Serbia third five years ago. The Serbians, who made their Olympic debut in Brazil, lost to the Spaniards in both group play and in the medal round.
Serbia (1-1) led 44-41 at the half and extended the lead to nine before Spain rallied. The Spaniards went on a 16-6 run to end the third quarter and go up 59-58 heading into the final period. Maite Cazorla had four 3-pointers in the period.
The run continued at the start the fourth as Spain scored 10 of the first 12 points to take a 69-60 lead with 5:50 left on a Torrens' layup. Serbia cut its deficit to five, but five straight points by Astou Ndour put the game away. She finished with 20 points.
Jelena Brooks scored 16 points for Serbia, which had nine of its 12 turnovers in the second half. The team had 28 in the opening win over Canada.
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Spain's Astou Ndour (45) celebrates a play during a women's basketball game against Serbia at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
Spain's Cristina Ouvina (5) passes ahead of Serbia's Nevena Jovanovic (8) during a women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press
Spain's Alba Torrens drives to the basket past Serbia's Aleksandra Crvendakic, right, during a women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press
Spain's Astou Ndour (45) celebrates past Serbia's Jelena Brooks (9) during their win in a women's basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
Serbia's Tina Krajisnik (33) is fouled by Spain's Raquel Carrera (14) while driving to the basket during a women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press
Spain's Silvia Dominguez (6) is pressured by Serbia's Ana Dabovic (23) during a women's basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
Serbia's Aleksandra Crvendakic drives to the basket past Spain's Silvia Dominguez (6) during a women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press