Kirk Penney scored 25 points to help New Zealand surge into the knockout round of the basketball world championships with an 82-70 win over France on Thursday.

Tibor Pleiss scored 23 points to give Germany a 91-73 win over Jordan on Thursday in a match between two eliminated teams at the basketball world championship.

Marcelo Machado scored 18 points, Anderson Varejao grabbed 12 rebounds in his longest stint at the world championship, and Brazil clinched third place in Group B with a 92-74 victory over Croatia on Thursday.

Oguz Savas scored 20 points as Turkey beat China 87-40 on Thursday in its final group game at the world championship.

Aleksandar Rasic made four free throws in the last 11 seconds Thursday to help Serbia upset top-ranked Argentina 84-82 and win Group A at the basketball world championship.

Lithuania defeated Lebanon 84-66 to end its group stage campaign with a 5-0 record.

Goran Dragic of the Phoenix Suns scored 18 points, and Slovenia surged into the elimation stage of the world championship with a 65-60 victory over Iran on Thursday.

Charles Abouo scored 19 points to lead Ivory Coast to an 88-79 win over Puerto Rico on Thursday at the basketball world championship.

Spain finished Group D play at the basketball world championship with consecutive strong games, routing Canada 89-67 on Thursday.