Boxscore l Photo gallery

NOVI SAD (FIBA U19 World Championship) – France are among the favourites to capture gold at the FIBA U19 World Championship but they almost lost on the opening day against Lithuania in Group A.

Shooting guard Edwin Jackson had 25 points for France, who prevailed 85-82 but only after the team from the Baltics battled back from a 40-31 half-time deficit to tie the contest at 77-77.

Marynas Gecevicius and Marius Valukonis had 20 points apiece for Lithuania.

France did much of their damage at the free throw line, making 26 of 34 (76.5%), compared to just eight of 15 (53.3%) for Lithuania.

The Baltic team were eight of 20 (40%) from three-point range, however, while the French made just three of 13 (23.1%) .

FIBA