TAMPERE (Finland) - Great Britain secured its first FIBA EuroBasket win since 2013, beating Montenegro 89-83 in Tampere.
An excellent way for GB to end its Group Phase action with a well-deserved win and avoid three consecutive 0-5 records at EuroBasket. However, the win wasn't enough to secure their passage into the Round of 16, falling short of the required 33-point or more margin needed, as Sweden advance.
Turning Point
Despite shooting an incredible 10-for-13 in the first quarter, Montenegro struggled to handle GB's speed, turning the ball over numerous times at half-court and allowing the Brits to score easily.
Great Britain's veterans maintained their composure as they sank the shots they needed in an incredibly nerve-racking last three minutes.
TCL Player of the Game
Myles Hesson led from the front for GB, as he scored 25 points, with 16 of them coming in the first half. He was helped by Akwasi Yeboah's 23 points.
Nikola Vucevic put together a sublime double-double of 31 points and 11 rebounds as well as 7 assists thrown in.
Stats Don't Lie
Great Britain's speed was a nightmare for Montenegro all game long as they out-scored their counterparts 20-3 on the fast break, along with getting 12 steals.
Despite shooting the ball well in the first quarter, Montenegro struggled to secure the ball, turning the ball over 18 times.
Bottom Line
Despite the win, Great Britain fell short of the 33-point margin needed to advance, but the Brits ended their campaign on a positive note. Montenegro also fall short as they now miss out regardless of the Sweden-Lithuania result.
They Said
"100 points, first game, 90 points, last game, every game has been the same story. No defense, no energy, and we didn't deserve to pass this group," - Bosko Radovic, Montenegro head coach.
"[GB] played better from the beginning, they were more aggressive and throughout the game, they did more to win," - Nikola Vucevic, Montenegro.
For more quotes, tune in to the official post-game press conference!
FIBA