Argentina’s journey to the 2011 FIBA Americas Title (Part 3)
Brazil 73 – Argentina 71
Despite National Basketball Association sensation, Luis Scola’s double-double, Argentina lost to Brazil in a closely fought 71-73 game.
Rafael Hettsheimer led the forces of Brazil from the front, made 19 points and clutched eight rebounds for his team.
Scola scored game-high 24 points and grabbed 11rebounds for the Argentinean side, but it wasn’t enough to save Argentina from defeat.
Both teams took their time to understand each other. Ball swung widely from one end to the other and eventually, Brazil snatched the first quarter from Argentina with a 19-17 lead. The second quarter remained the lowest scoring
period in the entire game, but Argentina managed to take the lead from Brazil (28-27), when the quarter ended.
The momentum shifted once again towards Brazil after the break, as they went ahead of Argentina at the end of the third quarter (54-47). Although Argentina tallied four more points than Brazil in the final quarter, but Brazil managed
to squeak past them to win the game by just two points.
Argentina 84 – Dominican Republic 58
Luis Scola’s good form continued, as he marshalled Argentina with his 25 points, seven rebounds and two assist to rout Dominican Republic 84-58 on September 8.
Alfred Horford was the leading scorer for the Dominicans, had 16 points along with eight rebounds.
The first quarter remained a close battle that Argentina won in the ensuing minutes of the game with some quick possessions (17-14). Argentineans managed to stay ahead of the Dominicans when the first half proceedings ended (39-33).
Third quarter wasn’t a different story too, as Argentina seized another quarter in their favour by 58-49 advantage. The Dominicans faced the real fire in the fourth quarter, when Argentina scorched them with a 26-9 spurt. Winning
the game with a lead of 26-point.
With this win Argentina progressed into the semi-final round, where they faced Puerto Rica. Argentina collected three wins out of their four contests in the second-round.
Argentina 81 – Puerto Rica 79
Argentina managed to overcome Puerto Rica after rough fight between the two in an 81-79 win on September 7 to move into the final of FIBA Americas Championship. Luis Scola again came to rescue the Argentineans, as he tallied game-high
27 points.
Jose Juan Barea was the best scorer for the Puerto Rican squad, scored 20 points, grasped four rebounds and dished out three assists.
Ball was flowing freely from one end to the other, as both teams scored points quit without much restraint from the defensive units. Argentina made the charge in the final minutes and secured the period with 29-24 lead.
However, Puerto Rica outperformed Argentina in the second quarter with a 20-11 run and took the charge (44-40).
Pendulum once again swung towards Argentina, when the launched the assault after the break to take a 66-60 lead with a 26-16 run. Puerto Rica tried their best to snatch the lead from Argentina in the fourth quarter, but ended up
just two points behind them.
Argentina 80 – Brazil 75
Argentina played well in the first the final quarter of the Final to prevail over their nemesis, Brazil by 80-75 on September 11. Luis Scola was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament because of his unmatched performance
throughout the contest.
Scola raised his bar in the final and scored his highest during this tournament. He made game-high 32 points and swatted four assists for Argentina.
Marcus Vinicius Vieira Souza led the Brazilian team in points. He scored 17 points and also grabbed five rebounds.
The Argentineans were ready for the revenge and they showed their intensions straight away with their aggression in the first quarter. Argentina stunned Brazil and its fans with their 21-9 surge to secure the first.
Brazil came strong in the second period, but their 18-14 was not enough to overcome Argentina’s first quarter lead. Argentina led Brazil by 35-27 at the close of half.
Brazil carried the momentum from the second and closed in further (50-48), when the third quarter finished. Just when it looked like the Brazilians were going to gain the lead from Argentina, they made the charge and steered the
title away from Brazil with a difference of just five points.
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