体坛英语新闻：Red Star defeat Italy's Brescia to secure ticket to basketball Eurocup top 16

BELGRADE, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Serbian Red Star convincingly beat Brescia 103-67 on Wednesday here to seal its qualification to the top 16 phase of the basketball Eurocup, one round before the end of the regular season.

The match in the Group A of the 9th round of the Eurocup at the Aleksandar Nikolic hall in front of some 4,700 fans started with two consecutive three pointers of the home team made by Borisa Simanic and Branko Lazic, while Joe Ragland expanded the lead to 10-4.

Red Star continued to pile up points to build up a lead of 21 points once in the first quarter, thanks to great game of Michael Ojo.

The second quarter started with a three-pointers of Dejan Davidovac and Nemanja Nenadic, while Ragland expanded the lead again to 45-20.

After a series of three-pointers from Lazic and Billy Baron, Red Star came 43 points in front at the half time.

Precise shooting continued in the second part of the game, with Brescia rarely being able to answer. After a three pointer by Ragland, the third quarter ended with 80-35.

In the fourth quarter, Brescia finally managed to reduce the gap to less than 30 points, with Tommaso Laquintana and Bryon Allen as the leaders in the turn-around.

Ragland scored 16 points and added 10 assists and Lazic had 14 points for the Red Star. Brescia's Allen scored 17 points.

Red Star will play the next game against Galatasaray in Turkey, while Brescia will host Ulm in Italy.

Because Monaco defeated Galatasaray by 76-71, Red Star sealed its participation in the top 16 phase together with Monaco and Andorra disregarding of the outcome of the next match.