EUROBASKET QUALIFIERS

Jacob Pullen went 0-for-8 from two-point range but, crucially, made three shots from outside the three-point arc, including the buzzer-beatter that decided the game

Georgia needed a last-ditch three-pointer from Jacob Pullen to stay unbeaten as they held off a frantic Latvia rally to win 79-76.

Latvia rallied from 12 points down in the final three minutes to level the scores at 76-76 with 56 seconds left.

Two Georgian turnovers gave them a chance to snatch the win, but Janis Strelnieks missed a three-pointer, and then Mareks Mejeris came up empty with a pair of free throws eight ticks from the buzzer.

That gave Pullen the time he needed to hit Latvia with a late dagger as Georgia escaped to improve to 4-0.

A big third quarter looked to have put Georgia in a comfortable position as they led 69-55 on Zaza Pachulia's lay-up early in the fourth.

Latvia got three-pointers from Dairis Bertans and Kaspars Berzins to cut the gap to eight but Georgia were up by 12, 76-64, when George Tsintsadze made a jump shot with 2:53 left.

They should have cruised to the finish from there, but Latvia had other ideas.

Berzin's dunk started the run, with Strelnieks adding a quick three and then getting the tip-in from Bertan's missed lay-up.

When Strelnieks completed a three-point play with 56 seconds left the run was 12-0 and the scores were tied.

Viktor Sanikdize turned the ball over to give Latvia possession but Edgars Jeromanovs missed his three.

A Pullen turnover forced Sanikidze to foul and Mejeris missed both his free throws, with Pullen grabbing the rebound from the second before nailing the decisive three-pointer.

Manuchar Markoishvili led Georgia with 19 points while Pachulia added 18 and nine rebounds.
Strelnieks had 22 points for Latvia with Berzins collecting 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Georgia, who barely edged Bosnia and Herzegovina 96-95 last time out, move to 3-0 in the group.