FIBA Update: Evan Fournier helps France rally to victory
Group play is winding up and even though he did not score, Evan Fournier helped France score the victory and assure their place in the second round.
France trailed Russia 67-55 with about eight minutes to play, without the calm play of veterans Tony Parker, Boris Diaw and Nicolas Batum paced France back into the winner’s circle.
Coach Vincent Collet continued to hold them out as Nando de Colo continued his strong tournament and Joffrey Lauvergne helped propel France to a 13-3 run and a 74-67 win over Russia.
Evan Fournier was part of the bench group that helped France secure the win. The lineup with him, Lauvergne, de Colo, Rudy Gobert and Charles Kahudi had a combined +39 in the fourth quarter to eliminate Russia from the tournament.
Fournier failed to score, missing all three of his shots. He had only one assist and two turnovers, but he obviously was successful enough to stay on the floor for the critical stage of the game.
France wraps up group play tomorrow against Israel. Both France and Israel have advanced to the second round. The game though will determine who wins Group A.
Andrew Nicholson, Canada win group
Andrew Nicholson came back to earth some with a two-point, two-rebound game. Melvin Ejim did too with five points, four rebounds and three assists. After their last two games, a bit of reality seems OK.
Canada though should remain on cloud nine. They are one win away from making the Olympics and have the best path to get there.
Canada’s 120-103 win over the Dominican Republic clinched the championship in the second group phase for Canada and set up a matchup with Venezuela — avoiding a rematch with Argentina or defending champion Mexico for that ticket to Brazil.
Canada continues to put a clinic on offensively in this second group phase. They are really hitting their stride and finding some surprising balance. Cory Joseph led Canada with 17 points and seven assists as seven players scored in double figures.
Canada will play Venezuela on Friday at 7 p.m.
Latvia slips against Ukraine
Ukraine’s backs were against the wall, needing a win to stay alive and keep their slim hopes of getting to the next round. Latvia threw some pretty strong punches to put Ukraine away, but they would not go away.
Eventually Latvia had to realize Ukraine was not going away. That might have been too late.
It really was a neck-and-neck game all the way throughout with Ukraine’s Oleksandr Lypovyy sinking two free throws with 15 seconds left. Ukraine’s Dairis Bertans slipped and had to pass to Kristaps Janicenoks to take the final jumper. He missed and Ukraine scored their first win 75-74.
Timma played 21 minutes, scoring seven points and grabbed five rebounds on 3-for-9 shooting. What has been interesting throughout the tournament is just how versatile Timma can be. He is a bruising forward for sure and can battle down low. But he has also shown a willingness to step out on the perimeter and shoot even from beyond the arc.
Of course, a lot of it is still rough around the edges.
Latvia plays Estonia on Thursday. They sit at 2-2 in Group D. A win over Estonia will put Latvia into the second round of the tournament.
Hezonja back and efficient in Croatia’s win
Mario Hezonja‘s tenure on the bench was short lived. He was back in the lineup, playing 14 minutes. He scored eight points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting. He also grabbed three rebounds.
Croatia needed every bit of it as they had to hold off the Netherlands for a 78-72 win.
Former Magic draft pick Dario Saric was key in Croatia holding off the Netherlands after a 17-1 Croatia run in the second quarter. Saric ended with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Croatia is now 3-1 in Group C and has clinched a spot in the second round. They will wrap up group play tomorrow against Zaza Pachulia and Georgia.