Monday, September 12, 2011

FIBA Americas 2011 : Argentina wins the championship



Source : VICENTE L. PANETTA, Associated Press

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (AP)—Argentina defeated Brazil 80-75 on Sunday to win the championship game of the Olympic basketball qualifying tournament for the Americas.


Luis Scola led Argentina with 32 points and Carlos Delfino added 16. Marcus Vinicuis had 17 for Brazil.
Brazil's Marcelo Huertas, left, dribbleS past Argentina's Pablo Prigioni in their FIBA Americas Championship final basketball game in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Sunday Sept. 11, 2011.

The game was mostly for pride since both teams had already won their semifinal matches on Saturday, which gave them two automatic berths in next year’s London Olympics.

The Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico 103-89 in Sunday’s third-place game. The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela—by claiming spots three, four and five in the tournament—earn places in a qualifying tournament just before the games, which will award several more berths for London.

The United States qualified for London by winning last year’s world championship.

Brazil pulled away to a 56-50 lead early in the final quarter, but Argentina came back and took control of the game with Brazil narrowing the winning margin in the final minute.

The victory avenged Argentina’s loss the Brazil in a second-round match 73-71.

South America’s top two teams were the clear favorites going into the tournament and did not disappoint.

Al Horford scored 23 to lead the Dominican Republic, while Danny Santiago was Puerto Rico’s top scorer with 25.

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