EUROBASKET 2011

Turning Point: Viktor Sanikidze put Georgia on top 67-62 with 4:15 to go, but from there Bulgaria went on a 14-0 run that shocked the Georgians.

Game Hero: EJ Rowland was on fire and finished the game with 25 points including hitting on five of his six three-point attempts. He also handed out four assists.

Stats Don't Lie: Bulgaria finished the game with 10 three-pointers on 43% from the floor. Four of them came in the closing quarter.

The last qualifier from Group D at Klaipeda will be decided only with the last game of the group after Bulgaria upset Georgia 79-69.

Bulgaria needed a 14-point win to secure their spot in the next round, but a late 14-0 run was enough just for a 10-point win and now they'll cross their fingers for a win by Belgium against Ukraine.

Georgia was in a position to win but lost their focus in the closing minutes, and will become the biggest fans of Ukraine later on Monday.

Bulgaria and Georgia now share a 2-3 record and, if that stands, Bulgaria will advance.

In case Ukraine beat Belgium later on, a three-way tie will be created and then Georgia will drive to Vilnius.

EJ Rowland was on fire and poured 25 points for Bulgaria including hitting five of six three pointers.

Kaloyan Ivanov added 15 to go with nine boards, while his twin brother Dejan scored 12.

Georgia were led by Viktor Sanikidze who had 18 points and nine rebounds, while Marquez Haynes added 15 and the pair of Manuchar Markoishvili and Zaza Pachulia finished with 13 each.

Pachulia had a great game and helped Georgia control the game while he was on the floor but he got injured midway through the third quarter and didn't return.

It was a tough battle with big swings, as the lead changed hands six times and the score was tied 10 times.

Bulgaria enjoyed the better start but Pachulia and Sanikidze were dominating the boards to give Georgia a small but steady lead throughout most of the third quarter.

A pair of free-throws by Sanikidze made it 67-62 for Georgia with 4:15 to play.

However, Rowland then hit a big three that ignited Bulgaria's 14-0 run. He added two more points to tie the score.

Kaloyan Ivanov then buried a three of his own that put Bulgaria on top and, by the end of the run, they were up 76-67 with under a minute to go.

Georgia tried to stop Bulgaria from reaching the needed 14-point gap, and Sanikidze managed to save his team in time, at least for a few more hours until Ukraine and Belgium will decide their encounter.