France wasn’t able to reach the FIBA World Cup championship, but still notched the bronze medal in a 95-93 victory over Lithuania. The win caps off a surprising run for the 2013 FIBA EuroBasket champions, who were without many of their key players during the World Cup in Spain. Nicolas Batum finished with a game-high 27 points, leading the French to their best World Cup finish.
2014 FIBA World Cup results: France wins bronze medal in 95-93 victory over Lithuania
France did not advance to the championship game, but they still earned a bronze medal in Spain in the FIBA World Cup.
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Lithuania built on their one-point lead at halftime, taking a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter, but the French were able to push back and take control of the game in the final frame. France outscored Lithaunia 31-22 to close out the game, earning a medal despite falling short of their championship aspirations.
Boris Diaw wraps up a solid four-month run of basketball that includes an NBA championship and a bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup. He finished the game with 15 points and a team-high four assists, doing his best to make up for Tony Parker's absence on the French national team. Jonas Valanciunas scored a team-high 25 points with an efficient 8-of-12 shooting performance, but couldn't put Lithuania over the top. A win would have marked two straight bronze medals at the FIBA World Cup for Lithuania.
They may not be playing in the championship game Sunday, but the French were happy to celebrate their bronze medal to conclude a memorable run that included the stunning elimination of Spain:
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