SHANGHAI (AP) — Ricky Rubio scored 19 points, including a pair of 3-pointers in a game-deciding 11-0 run in the final minutes, and Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals by topping Poland 90-78 on Tuesday night.
Willy Hernangómez scored 18 points, Rudy Fernandez added 16 and Rubio had a game-high nine assists for Spain (6-0), which had been beaten in the quarterfinal round of the last two World Cups — by France in 2014, and by Serbia in 2010 when the tournament was still called the world championship.
But Spain broke through this time, and will face either Australia or the Czech Republic in the semifinals at Beijing on Friday.
A.J. Slaughter scored 19 points and Adam Waczynski finished with 15 for Poland (4-2), which is assured of finishing no worse than eighth at its first appearance at the World Cup since 1967.
Poland got within 76-72 on a layup by Waczynski with 5:42 remaining, but Spain pulled away over the next three minutes. Hernangómez's three-point play got Spain's run started, Rubio then made his 3s about 90 seconds apart and Marc Gasol found Victor Claver for a dunk with 2:41 left that made it 87-72.
TIP-INS
Poland: The only other loss by Poland so far in this tournament was to Argentina — which, like Spain, is a World Cup semifinalist. Argentina beat Serbia earlier Tuesday in Dongguan, China, to punch its ticket to FIBA's Final Four. ... Regardless of the outcome Thursday, Poland's finale at the World Cup is Saturday at Beijing in either the fifth- or seventh-place game.
Spain: The last time Spain made the semifinals was 2006 — when it went on to win the tournament. ... Spain is used to grinding out wins by now in China — after a tournament-opening victory over Tunisia by 39, Spain has beaten Puerto Rico by 10, Iran by eight, Italy by seven, Serbia by 12 and now Poland by 10. ... The ball handling was superb, with Spain getting credited for 28 assists on 32 field goals. ... Gasol had 10 points and seven assists, and Juancho Hernangomez scored 14 for Spain.
UP NEXT
Poland: Faces Australia-Czech Republic loser on Thursday at Shanghai in consolation round.
Spain: Faces Australia-Czech Republic winner on Friday at Beijing in semifinals.
