In the Group E of the FIBA 2023 World Cup qualifiers France (3-0) crushed Portugal (0-3) with a great second half. France prevailed 94-56 (15-17, 22-16, 27-11, 30-12)
The final quarter was a total blowout and France reached also a 35-point lead (83-48).
France found their groove offensively in the second half and stunned Portugal with the superiority of their big men, Louis Labeyrie and Mathias Lessort came out strong in the second half, dominating the boards.
In the first half, France started the game slowly. Turnovers were a real issue for the French side in the first minutes, with 7 turnovers in the first 7 minutes, while Portugal had a good approach defensively and found some good shots offensively.
After finishing the first quarter down by 2 (17-15), France did a much better job in the second quarter, scoring 22 points, led by Virtus Bologna's Isaia Cordinier, and finished the half up by 4 (37-33).
Louis Laberyrie was the top scorer for France with 15 points (6/7 2PT, 1/1 3PT, 0/2 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, and 17 PIR.
France: Louis Labeyrie 15 (5 REB), Mouhammadou Jaiteh 12 (5 REB), Isaia Cordinier 12 (7 AST), Mathias Lessort 11 (10 REB)
Portugal: Diogo Brito 15, Sasa Borovnjak 13
