Players of France celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the third place game between France and Australia at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
France defeated Australia 67-59 on Sunday to take the third-place game in the World Cup. It was France's second straight bronze medal in the event and ties its best finish.
BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The French won the bronze medal at FIBA Basketball World Cup after claiming a come-from-behind 67-59 victory over Australia here on Sunday.
Both teams rallied in the final minutes, and it was not too late for the French to recover from poor shooting and make a turnaround. With Nando De Colo and Andrew Albicy pouring on the pressure at offensive end, France put the Australians on the ropes.
Louis Labeyrie (L) and Evan Fournier (C) of France compete during the third place game between France and Australia at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
De Colo racked up a match-leading 19 points. Joe Ingles and Patty Mills scored 17 and 15 points respectively for Australia but they could not save their team.
Australia showcased its aggressive attack led by Mills to start the match with a 10-4 burst. But both sides were trapped into offensive foul trouble, making the first quarter rather plodding, and the Boomers established a five-point lead.
Fournier of France reacts during the third place game between France and Australia at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
France made a terrible 8 of 32, shooting only 25 percent in the first half. Sharpshooter Evan Fournier of France kept attacking the rim with tough layups but could not dismantle the opponent's defense and his team trailed by nine points to end the first half.
The French soon regrouped in the third quarter with fast breaks, putting on a 14-4 scoring run to enter the final period with 42-46. They kept firing, while Australia could not keep pace with the imposing performance.