A 9-0 run in the third quarter by Finland carried them to an 81-76 win over Ukraine in the group stages of the 2014 FIBA World Cup at Bizkaia Arena in Bilboa, Spain.
Finland opened up the third quarter with the run, and jumped out to a 57-41 lead, but things all changed when Ukraine put 17-year old Kansas Jayhawks commit Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk in the game. The momemtum shifted, and Ukraine was back in the game. The Finnish side led 57-52 entering the fourth quarter.
Both sides would end up scoring 24 points in the fourth quarter and Finland would hang on to win. Ukraine, like New Zealand yesterday, had many chances to tie the game and take the lead but failed.
Shawn Huff had 23 on 9-15 shooting from the field for Finland. Petteri Koponen added 14 points and 9 assists while Cleveland Cavalier Erik Murphy scored 12 points and snagged 8 rebounds.
Eugene Jeter scored 24 points and dished out 9 assists for Ukraine. Maksym Pustozvonov added 15 points. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk scored 4 points in 10 minutes.
Ukraine turned the ball over 18 times which generated 31 points off turnovers scored by Finland. The Finns only turned the ball over 11 times for 12 Ukraine points.
Both teams are now 1-1 in the tournament and have 3 points.
Ukraine's next game is Tuesday, September 2nd versus Turkey at 9:00 am ET.
Finland will take on Dominican Republic on the same date at 3:30 pm ET.