Australia rallies to beat France 77-71
(AP)
Updated: 2006-08-13 21:29
NANJING - Brad Newley led a late Australian rally to snatch a 77-71 victory
over France in a world championship warm-up on Sunday.
France led until late in the third period, when a Newley three-pointer put
Australia ahead 52-51.
France grabbed the lead again early in the fourth period, but Australia
struggled back, taking a nine-point lead with 1 minute, 48 seconds left and
holding on for the win.
With both teams piling on pressure, play was stopped and players separated
with 1:06 remaining. Australia's Sam Mackinnon and France's Mickael Gelabale
were both ejected for fighting.
Newley had 17 points, while the Milwaukee Bucks' Andrew Bogut, _ the 2005 No.
1 NBA draft pick _ topped the Australian scoring with 20.
Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs had a game-high 22 points for France,
while Florent Pietrus added 10 more.
The game was part of the Stankovic Continental Champions Cup being played in
the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing as a tune up to the world championships in
Japan beginning August 19.
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