Argentina defeat Japan to advance to the Olympic quarter-finals / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

In a battle between two teams that had not won a game during the Olympics, Argentina (1-2) defeated Japan (0-3) 97-77 (26-16, 20-22, 19-15, 32-24).

Player of the Game EFF 23 Facundo Campazzo Points 17 Accuracy 5-11 Rebounds 7 Assists 11

Two 3-pointers by Facundo Campazzo and one from Luis Scola helped Argentina gain an early 9-4 advantage. Japan cut the lead to one after a long-range shot by Makoto Hiejima (12-11), however, the South Americans went on a 12-1 run to gain a double-digit lead at the end of one (26-16).

Both teams struggled to put the ball in the hoop at the start of the second period. But the 2019 FIBA World Cup runners-up slowly heated up and extended Japan's deficit to 14 with 5:33 to go (36-22). The Olympic hosts managed to weather the storm, and after a last-second tip-in by Yudai Baba, their disadvantage decreased to single digits (46-38).

Japan started the second half with four straight points to come within striking distance after Rui Hachimura's layup (46-42). But Argentina answered with a run of their own to gain a comfortable advantage with 4:44 to go (57-44). Both teams continued trading buckets, and the period ended with Argentina leading by 12.

They kept on controlling the game in the fourth period, gaining their biggest lead of the game with under three minutes to go in the match (91-69). Argentina eventually closed Japan out 97-77 to become the best third-place team in the tournament and advance to the quarter-finals. The quarter-finals draw will take place on Sunday, after the final Group Stage game between Slovenia and Spain.

Argentina: Luis Scola 23 (10 rebounds), Facundo Campazzo 17 (11 assists, 7 rebounds), Gabriel Deck 16, Marco Delia 14 (7 rebounds).

Japan: Yudai Baba 18 (7 rebounds), Yuta Watanabe 17 (9 rebounds), Rui Hachimura 13 (11 rebounds), Makoto Hiejima 13, Daiki Tanaka 10.

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