Lithuania’s hopes for contention at the 2019 FIBA World Cup ended in heartbreak in Nanjing on Saturday as they fell 78-75 to France after storming back from a 17-point deficit.
In the wake of a chilly 3-of-14 start from behind the arc, Lukas Lekavicious and Jonas Maciulus broke through the ice when it mattered, connecting on two threes in the span of three possessions midway through the fourth quarter to give Lithuania a two-point lead with 3:10 to play. France edged back in front with a three from Nando de Colo, but three missed free throws from Rudy Gobert and a made bucket from Jonas Valanciunas, following a flurry of action, evened the score at 74-74.