Spain wins 3rd straight game to top Group C at FIBA World Cup

However, it was the Iranians who rushed into the game with a 10-0 run after Behnam Yakhchalidehkordi scored a three-pointer. Ricky Rubio and Gasol helped Spain back into the game by cutting the deficit to three, but Iran led 21-18 into the second quarter.

Then the two teams tied and changed leads frequently.

Spain, who led 33-31 into the halftime break, increased its advantage to nine at 52-43 with two minutes left in the third quarter.

Jamshidijafarabadi and Rostampour combined a 10-0 spurt to lift Iran to a 53-52 lead into the last quarter before the dramatic 1:49 at the end.