Italy prevailed over Lithuania at home (70-65) and came one step closer to the qualification to the World Cup.

The hosts were in front by seven at halftime (42-35), yet the visitors came back and tied the game at the end of the third quarter (53-53).

In the fourth quarter, though, the Italians played excellent defence (they conceded just 12 points) and claimed a crucial win at home (70-65).

Awudu Abass scored 13 points for the winners, whereas Mantas Kalnietis had 15 points and six assists for the losing squad, with Jonas Maciulis posting a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds).

Italy improved to 7-2, whereas Lithuania dropped to 8-1, but have already qualified to the World Cup.

In the other matches of Group J, Poland (5-4) crushed the Netherlands (3-6) on the road (78-105), while Croatia survived Hungary (4-5) (74-69) and remained alive in the qualification race (4-5).