BANGKOK (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - France staged a superb second half rally to beat the Czech Republic 73-58 in a Group E eight-final round game on Wednesday.

France and the Czechs are locked 3-3 in their win-loss awaiting the results of the other two games of the day in the group to know their fate.

Both teams fought on an even keel in the opening moments, and it looked like Czech Republic were beginning to take control after their 14-0 run in the closing five minutes of the first quarter. 

Michaela Stara scored seven points, - including a sizzling three-pointer - Katerina Bortonova added five and Lenka Bartokova converted both the free-throws and the Czechs were off to a 14-0 run, that put them in the driving seat for the rest of the first half.

The Czechs held comfortable 40-29 lead going into the change rooms.

France fought back with vigour outscoring their opponents 14-4 in the first five minutes of the third quarter.

Margaux Okou scored eight of her game-high 21 points in the opening minutes of the third quarter, and Hhaydia Minte, Pauline Thizy and Adja Konteh all scored from close range and France were back in contention.

Minte sank a sizzling three-pointer and followed it up with an assist to Medelome Medenou and France closed the third quarter 51-49 ahead, a lead Gregory Halin's girls never gave away again.

The fourth quarter saw France improving the lead further.

Medenou scored 18 points for the game. Minte scored 10 along with her game-high 10 rebounds.

Bartonova was the highest scorer for the Czechs with 16 points, but with only two points in the second half.

Stara scored 12, all of them in the first half. Renata Brezinova scored 15 points, but 10 of them in the first quarter.

FIBA