Mike Rosario scored a game-high 18 points to lead Puerto Rico to a 58-56 forfeit victory over Lithuania Saturday night in the World Juniors Basketball Tournament in Douai, France.
Lithuania walked off the court with three minutes remaining after a melee began when Puerto Rico’s Jesús Rivera and two Lithuanian players fought for control of the ball, according to elnuevodia.com
“The Lithuanians starting dealing blows and Jesús defended himself. It was when their bench made their way to the court that ours emptied also,” Rolando Hourruitiner, Puerto Rico’s counselor, told the paper. After a few minutes, the referees expelled two Puerto Rican players and two Lithuanians.
Rosario, a 6-3 shooting guard out of Rutgers, was 6-of-18 from the field, 4-of-9 from 3 and 2-of-2 from the line. Jio Fontan suffered from cramps and managed just 3 points and 3 rebounds while playing half the game.
Puerto Rico is now 2-2 at the event, having lost two games by one point each.
**Elsewhere, UConn coach Jim Calhoun broke five ribs and collapsed during a charity bike event. He is in the hospital and listed in good condition.
(photo courtesy Hartford Courant)
