By Stefan Djordjevic/ info@eurohoops.net
France took over at the start of the fourth quarter turning the game around and securing an 80-72 win over Montenegro in a World Cup prep game.
Nicolas Batum banked 18 points on 7-9 shooting including 4-4 from behind the arc while Evan Fournier followed with 17 points.
For Montenegro, Nikola Vucevic logged a double-double with ten points and 12 boards in addition to Bojan Dubljevic 12 and Derek Needham’s 11 points.
Montenegro was ahead 43-36 at halftime and kept the lead in front of the final ten minutes (59-51). However, France went on a 17-2 run (68-61) turning the tables and eventually securing the win.
According to Batum: “We went back and forth, looking for individual solutions without moving the ball. In the second half, we came back more intense, trying to get them tired and playing small ball. Axel Toupane had an impressive game after his injury and Frank Ntilikina never stopped pressing. We do not have to be satisfied with this result, sometimes you want to do too much on defense and you commit suicide by taking too many risks, which generate gaps. We had enough turnovers. It must also be said that they played well and they are very well-coached. We can run on transition, but on the half-court, you have to know how to move the ball. “