FRA - U17 Women win two out of three in Serbia

BANJA KOVILJACA (2010 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - France's U17 Women's team comfortably beat Serbia's U18 side two out of three times over the weekend as part of their preparations for the inaugural FIBA U17 World Championship for Women.

Arnaud Guppillotte's team travelled to Banja Koviljaca last Thursday and won the three-game series opener 52-40 on Friday.

The French defeated a rough and rugged Serbian team thanks to some great ball movement and their ability to get out in transition for some easy baskets. They did however have trouble finding their range and no player scored in double-digits.

Laure Mercier had nine points and Olivia Epoupa added 8 as France took control of the game in the second quarter, turning a 12-11 deficit into a 23-14 advantage by halftime and growing that to 38-26 by the end of the third period.

On Saturday, the Serbs closed the paint but their opponents discovered their shooting touch. After jumping out to a 12-3 lead at the end of the first quarter, they were rarely threatened and cruised to their best winning margin of the series.

Jodie Cornelie had 14 points while Sara Chevaugeon added 12 and Epoupa chipped in with six.

The French looked headed for a sure-win on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep as they raced to a 20-8 lead after the opening period and were up 34-20 at the break.

However, Serbia showed this was a game of two halves as they outscored the visitors 20-2 in the third quarter and 26-8 in the final frame to register a comprehensive and most-improbable 62-48 win.

Mercier was the only player to score in double-digits for France, finishing with 10 points.

FIBA