BERLIN (AP) \u2014 Host Germany avoided embarrassment at the women\u2019s FIBA World Cup on Monday while Spain advanced to the quarterfinals and France set a record for 3-pointers.<\/p>\n
Germany faced the prospect of elimination in its final group game against Mali but the host was never in danger in front of a sell-out crowd at the Berlin Arena with Frieda B\u00fchner (21 points) and Luisa Geisels\u00f6der (17) contributing to a comfortable 83-58 win.<\/p>\n
France scored an unprecedented 22 triples<\/a> in a comprehensive 111-56 victory over already-eliminated Nigeria (0-3).<\/p>\n Migna Toure\u2019s 3-point shot with 5:45 left was her team\u2019s 21st, breaking the three-day-old record of 20 set by Japan<\/a> for 3-pointers in a single contest in World Cup history. Dominique Malonga notched the 22nd.<\/p>\n Gabby Williams led France (3-0) with 25 points and 6 rebounds. The Olympic finalists were already assured of their place in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n Also in Group B, Hungary (2-1) defeated South Korea (1-2) 82-73 to finish second.<\/p>\n Spain in quarterfinals<\/p>\n Iyana Martin led Spain to a 79-59 win over Japan with 20 points and four rebounds, sending Spain (2-1) straight through to the quarterfinals as Group A winner because of its head-to-head record against Germany (2-1).<\/p>\n Alima Demb\u00e9l\u00e9\u2019s two free throws at the start gave Mali (1-2) its only lead against Germany as the host made sure of progress from a group that had been wide open with all teams 1-1 before their final games.<\/p>\n After the buzzer the German players went over to a corner and danced with the crowd. They then did a lap around the court and high-fived fans as they went off.<\/p>\n \u201cThere’s no celebration,\u201d Germany coach Olaf Lange said. “The turnaround to tomorrow is too fast. The players need to recover now. Things get going again first thing tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n Germany faces South Korea on Tuesday to decide which progresses to the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n Japan finished third in the group while Mali was eliminated despite its shock win over Spain<\/a> on Saturday. Japan next plays Hungary on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Italian exertions take their toll<\/p>\n After running the United States close the night before<\/a>, Italy struggled to find the same energy levels in a 71-51 defeat to China, which secured second place in Group D and a playoff against Puerto Rico on Wednesday.<\/p>\n China\u2019s 7-foot-3 teenage sensation Zhang Ziyu<\/a> scored 8 points while Han Xu lead the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds in front of a raucous crowd at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin.<\/p>\n Matilde Villa led Italy with 15 points and acknowledged the game against the U.S. on Sunday took a toll.<\/p>\n \u201cWe spent a lot of energy, mentally and physically, and I think we felt it,\u201d Villa told the Associated Press. \u201cBut yes, we didn\u2019t approach the game in the right way, and this has to be a lesson for us. Now we will take a day off, recover, and then we will think about the next game.\u201d<\/p>\n Italy (1-2), back in the tournament after a 32-year wait, next faces Australia on Wednesday for a place in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n US continues its run<\/p>\n The U.S. (3-0) bounced back from its scare the night before<\/a> with a 105-64 rout of the Czech Republic<\/a>, which was already eliminated after two losses, now three.<\/p>\n Breanna Stewart had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists to help the U.S. win its 33rd in a row in the tournament.<\/p>\n The four-time defending champion now has two days off.<\/p>\n Meesseman stars again<\/p>\n Emma Meesseman led Belgium straight to the quarterfinals with 22 points and 10 rebounds as the European champion topped Australia 80-68 for first place in Group C.<\/p>\n Belgium had a five-point lead heading into the fourth quarter and bolted in an 11-2 run. The Opals couldn\u2019t recover.<\/p>\n Belgium\u2019s Julie Allemand finished with seven assists<\/a> to give her an all-time record 111 in World Cup play.<\/p>\n Puerto Rico celebrates<\/p>\n Arella Guirantes scored 21 points and Puerto Rico finished strong to eliminate Turkey 75-71 earlier.<\/p>\n Puerto Rico was trailing by seven points going into the final quarter but Imani McGee-Stafford scored and Pamela Rosado followed with two 3-pointers to take a 59-58 lead.<\/p>\n Turkey power forward Elif Bayram went off injured early in the final quarter.<\/p>\n Turkey fans outnumbered their counterparts at the Max-Schmeling-Halle and they tried to put off Guirantes but couldn\u2019t stop her from securing the win with two free throws.<\/p>\n “We\u2019re gonna to show the world why Puerto Rico belongs,\u201d said Trinity San Antonio after scoring 18 points<\/a>.<\/p>\n AP Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg contributed to this report.<\/p>\n