SAITAMA -- Even when knowing you won't be rewarded any medal, if you're a competitor you still put your full energy on the court.
France preserved a big lead that it established in the first half and went on to defeat Turkey 64-56 at the fifth-place game of the FIBA World Championship at Saitama Super Arena on Saturday.
Forward Florent Pietrus led the team with 12 points and nine rebounds, followed by center Frederic Weis with 11 points and guard/forward Laurent Foirest with 10.