Luka Doncic, Slovenia survive Italy to finish 7th in World Cup

Luka Doncic and Slovenia survived a late Italy rally, 89-85, in the classification round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Slovenia was leading, 70-60, at the end of the third period before the game was tied at 83 with 1:21 left in the fourth period.

Giampaolo Ricci gave Italy an 85-83 lead before Jacob Cebasek drilled a triple to reclaim the lead for Slovenia. Gregor Hrovat's freebies and Zoran Dragic's split sealed the deal for Slovenia as Marco Spissu's triple attempt and Matteo Spagnolo's jumper failed.

Doncic flirted with a triple-double as he posted 29 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, while Mike Tobey and Zoran Dragic had 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Spissu had 22 while Simone Fontecchio had 16 points.

The win put Slovenia to seventh overall in the competition with five wins and three losses. Italy, meanwhile, ended up with four wins and four losses.

Later, Latvia and Lithuania will play for the fifth spot.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News