France edges Germany 78-74 in FIBA basketball World Cup

Orlando Magic shooting guard Evan Fournier's super performance helped France beat Germany 78-74 in a Group G encounter at the FIBA basketball World Cup on Sunday.

#12 Robin Benzing of the Germany National Team in action against #12 Nando De Colo of the France National Team during the 1st round of 2019 FIBA World Cup at Shenzhen Bay Sports Center on September 01, 2019 in Shenzhen, China. [Photo: Getty Images via VCG/Zhong Zhi]

Fournier earned a game-high 26 points and contributed 10 rebounds. Amath M'Baye added 21 points. Germany's Johannes Voigtmann made 25 points including five 3-pointers.

France showed a near perfection defense with a 14-0 run at the beginning of the game, while Germany missed all 14 attempts inside the arc, trailing by 4-16 as the quarter time ran out.

Germany found their rhythm in attacking in the second quarter as Voigtmann and Dennis Schroder combined 12 points. France put Fournier and Rudy Gobert on court and went on to build a 36-20 advantage into the halftime.

In the third quarter, Germany didn't miss any of their six 3-pointers, while France showed no sign of slowing down in offense side by scoring 23 points during the single quarter, leading 59-50 at the end of the quarter.

Fournier hit a pair of free throws, leading France 78-74 with 4.2 seconds remaining. Maximilian Kleber's last jump shot can not make any miracle.