France edges Lithuania for third place at World Cup

Sep 13, 2014 - 7:17 PM Madrid, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - Nicolas Batum scored 27 points Boris Diaw added 15, as France rallied in the fourth quarter to earn a 95-93 win over Lithuania in the third-place game at the FIBA World Cup.

France trailed 71-64 heading to the fourth, but Diaw scored eight of his points in the final period to lead the comeback. Diaw's layup capped an 11-2 run and gave the French a 77-75 lead midway through the fourth.

Lithuania answered with the next five, but consecutive layups by Diaw put the French in front for good at 82-80, and a pair of free throws by Thomas Heurtel gave France an 86-80 advantage with 30 seconds left.

A three-point play by Adas Juskevicius with 16 seconds remaining, though, pulled Lithuania within 86-85, but the French made their free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

A total of 11 fouls were committed in the final 16 seconds, leading to 22 total free throws. Trailing by three after two from the stripe by Batum, Jonas Maciulis was fouled with a second left and made the first free throw. He missed the second intentionally, but France came down with the rebound to finally end the contest.

The French earned their best finish at the event previously known as the World Championship.

Jonas Valanciunas scored 25 points to lead Lithuania, which trailed 22-19 after one quarter and 43-42 at halftime.