VOLOS, Greece – Loyola University Maryland freshman-to-be Santi Aldama scored 16 points and had a game-high 14 rebounds on Monday night, leading Spain to an 82-75 victory over Croatia in the final group-stage game of the FIBA U-18 European Championships.
 
Monday's victory gave Spain a 3-0 record in the group stage with previous wins over The Netherlands and Finland. It advanced to the Round of 16 where it will face Latvia on Wednesday, July 31.
 
In the three group games, Aldama has the best plus-minus (point differential of teams when a player while on the court) in the tournament; Spain has scored 59 more points than its opponents when he is on the floor, while the second-best player in the tournament is at +51. 69.0. Aldama is ninth in the tournament with 8.0 rebounds per game and tied for 16^th with 13.3 points. His 12 total blocked shots are second as is his player efficiency of 69.0.
 
With less than 15 seconds to play in regulation against Croatia, Aldama had a game-sealing sequence in which he had a dunk for Spain's final points and two blocked shots on Croatian 3-point attempts at the other end of the court.
 
In addition to his double-double, he posted seven blocked shots, six assists and three steals while not committing a turnover in 33 minutes of action.
 
Spain overcame a 67-64 deficit at the end of the third quarter; Aldama had five points, five rebounds, two blocks, a steal and an assist in the fourth.
 
Fellow incoming Loyola freshman Golden Dike scored a pair of points in the win, as well.