Bucknell University Athletics
J.R. Holden Hits Winning Free Throws to Lift Russia to Eurobasket Semifinals
9/14/2007 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sept. 14, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- J.R. Holden, the 1998 Bucknell graduate currently shining as a point guard for the Russian national team at the Eurobasket tournament in Spain, helped lead his team into the semifinals last night with a terrific performance in a 75-71 victory over France.
Holden scored 15 points, including the tiebreaking free throws with 23 seconds left. He also hit a clutch 3-pointer a few minutes earlier, and perhaps most importantly, he helped control French point guard Tony Parker, the San Antonio Spurs guard who was recently named MVP of the NBA Finals. Parker also finished with 15 points, four below his tournament average.
Russia will play either Lithuania or Croatia in the semifinals on Saturday in Madrid. It is Russia's first Eurobasket semifinal appearance in 10 years. A victory would automatically qualify them for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Bonus Links:
ESPN.com recap of Russia-France game
EuroBasket.com recap of Russia-France game
Chris Sheridan (ESPN.com) feature on Holden
