Croatia head coach Aleksandar Petrovic reacts to a play during a men's basketball game against Lithuania at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Croatia wasn't one of the favorites coming into the men's basketball competition at the Rio Games, yet they finished pool play atop Group B with a 90-81 victory over Lithuania on Monday.
Croatia (3-2), which began the day not knowing if it would even advance to the quarterfinal round, will play Serbia (2-3) on Wednesday.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric clearly had more energy from start to finish than he displayed in previous games and helped set the tone early for Croatia. The Croatians were in control most of the game, and led 75-55 heading into the fourth quarter,
Bojan Bogdanovic led Croatia with 22 points.
Lithuania would have clinched the top spot in Group B with a win, but falls to No. 3 and will play Australia (4-1) on Wednesday.
Croatia's win pushes Argentina (3-2) into a matchup against the undefeated U.S. and Spain (3-2) will play France (3-2).
Croatia's Krunoslav Simon (7) celebrates from the bench during a men's basketball game against Lithuania at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
Croatia's Dario Saric (9) celebrates a team score against Lithuania during a men's basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
Lithuania's Marius Grigonis (40) is blocked by Croatia's Mario Hezonja (8) as he tries to score during a men's basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
Lithuania's Jonas Valanciunas (17) fights for a rebound with Croatia's Dario Saric, right, during a basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (Jim Young/Pool Photo via AP)
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Croatia's Miro Bilan, left, shoots over Lithuania's Jonas Valanciunas, right, during a basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (Jim Young/Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press