Navarro scores 27 and Spain pulls away to beat Slovenia 97-80 in consolation-round game

Spain beats Slovenia 97-80 in consolation round

ISTANBUL — Juan Carlos Navarro scored 26 points and Spain used a big fourth quarter to beat Slovenia 97-80 in a consolation game at the world championship Friday.

Spain led by only two going into the fourth before outscoring Slovenia 33-18. Sergio Llull made two 3-pointers during a 15-6 spurt that broke it open and gave the Spaniards an 84-73 lead on Navarro’s 3-pointer with 3:47 remaining.

Spain’s reign as world champion is ending after its 92-89 loss to Serbia on Wednesday in the quarterfinals. The Spaniards can still finish fifth with another victory.

Rudy Fernandez and Fran Vazquez each had 16 points for Spain. Goran Dragic and Jaka Lakovic scored 19 apiece for Slovenia, which will play for seventh place.