Iran's national basketball team earned its first win at the preliminary round
of 2010 FIBA world championship against Tunisia 71-58 in the Turkish capital,
Istanbul.
Hamed Haddadi scores for Iran
After losing the first two matches in Group B, Iran on Monday
blew most of the 24-point lead, and was down to three in the final minutes,
before taking the game.
Iran appeared headed for an easy victory after Hamed Haddadi scored the first
five points of the second half, and the lead grew to 24 later in the period,
before Tunisia's rally fell short.
Iran's top player Haddadi, who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, had 23 points
and 13 rebounds.
Tunisia is now the lone winless team in Group B at 0-3.
In the event opener on Saturday, Iran was downed against the two time world
champion Brazil 81-65. Iran lost its second match against Croatia 54-75 on
Sunday.
Iran played in the Olympic basketball tournament in 2008 for the first time in
more than 60 years after winning the Asian championship the year before. The
Iranians defended the Asian title last year to earn their spot in the worlds
field.
