Olympic Men's Basketball Recap: Slovenia topples Spain; Argentina secures last Quarterfinal spot
Luca Vildoza of Team Argentina (right) passes behind his back against Yuki Togashi of Team Japan.
Group C: Argentina 97, Japan 77
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Argentina secured the last spot in the Quarterfinals with a 97-77 win over Japan. Argentina finished 1-2 in Group C, while Japan finished 0-3.
Argentina held a 46-38 lead at halftime but surged in the second half.
Olympic veteran Luis Scola led Argentina with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo posted a near-triple-double of 17 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds.
Yudai Baba scored a team-high 18 points for Japan. Toronto Raptors forward Yuta Watanabe added 17.
SAITAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 01: Luka Doncic #77 of Team Slovenia drives to the basket against Rudy Fernandez #5 and Sergio Rodriguez #6 of Team Spain during the second half of a Men’s Basketball Preliminary Round Group C game at Saitama Super Arena on August 01, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Group C: Slovenia 95, Spain 87
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Slovenia held off Spain, 95-87, in a terrific Group C finale on Sunday to claim top spot in the group.
Luka Doncic, despite facing constant double teams from the Spanish defense, finished with a near-triple double, posting 12 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists.
Vlatko Cancar took advantage of the Doncic double teams, scoring 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
Ricky Rubio led Spain with 18 points and 9 assists.
Slovenia finishes its first-ever Olympic group stage appearance unbeaten, topping Group C at 3-0. Spain finished 2-1 in the group.
Both will move on to the quarterfinals.
