SLO/RUS – Russia finish on a high

ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) – Vitaliy Fridzon propelled Russia to an 83-78 come-from-behind victory over Slovenia and a seventh-place finish at the FIBA World Championship.

The Russian guard poured in 15 of his 18 points in the final quarter on six of eight shooting from the floor.

Slovenia led 50-36 midway through the third quarter but Russia hit back and Sergey Monya's jumper following six straight points from Fridzon saw Russia take a 64-62 lead with 6:19 left to play.

With the game tied at 74-74 with 1:22 remaining, Timofei Mozgov made two free-throws to hand Russia the lead for good.

Mozgov led his team in scoring with 19 points.

Russia made 30 of 32 (94%) of their free-throws.

Slovenia forward Bostjan Nachbar poured in 11 of his game-high 20 in the final six minutes.

Russia coach David Blatt, who announced earlier in the tournament he would be stepping down from his post after six years in charge, was for the second game in a row without center Alexander Kaun because of a jumper's knee injury.

Blatt, who visited with FIBATV.com after the game, was delighted with his players' performance in Turkey.

"I believe my players have overachieved in this tournament," said Blatt. "I am very proud of my team.

"We played hard in every game, my players never quit and they never stopped fighting."

FIBA

On Twitter | On Facebook l On FIBA tv