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FIBA Asia: Hadadi stars as Iran stops Korea in testy game

Hamed Hadadi of Iran dunks the ball during the Iran-Korea game at the FIBA Asia Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

The Islamic Republic of Iran turned to its NBA veteran in the fourth period to fashion out a convincing 76-65 win over South Korea in a bruising Group C encounter at the FIBA Asia Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Hamed Hadadi, who played five seasons in the NBA, scored 15 of his game-high 30 points in the payoff period to lead the Iranians to their second straight victory and the lead in Group C. The Koreans dropped to 1-1 and were unable to follow up on their inspiring 63-59 win over China the night before.

Korea controlled much of the second half, taking a 34-30 lead into intermission, before Iran came to life in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 21-7 to seize a 51-41 lead heading into the fourth.

Hadadi then took over, scattering nine points in an 11-3 Iran run that pushed the two-time champions ahead 64-50 with only 4:12 to go.

The game was highly physical, with lots of pushing and shoving and players from both teams whistled for unsportsmanlike fouls late in the fourth period.

The Main Man: Hadadi was simply unstoppable down low. Once he got the ball close to the basket, the Koreans could do nothing but put up their arms and hope he missed. The seven-two big man hit 12 of his 19 shots and hauled down 13 boards to go along with his 30 points.

Honorable Mention: Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, Iran's do-it-all wingman, backstopped Hadadi with a good all-around effort of 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

Game Turning Point: Korea threatened at 53-47 early in the fourth period before Hadadi took charge. Point guard Mahdi Kamrani continuously fed the big man down low, and he responded with 15 big points, six of which came on emphatic slams.

They Said It:

In the first half we played bad. We weren't focused. In the second half we played better offense and better defense. Hamed

We don't plan for things like that. But if the game gets too physical, things like that happen.
 - Korea coach Yoo Jae Hak

We expected such a game against Korea especially since they won last night against China and they have a lot of confidence. We had  big problems against the 1-3-1 zone. But I must say we must play physically because they're very quick and have good shooters.

Basketball is a contact game. This happens. Small fights make basketball interesting.

 -  Iran coach Mehmed Becirovic