They did it ! After having already won a decisive match against the Argentines despite an 18-point deficit in the group stage, the Bahamians returned to the table last night during the final of the Olympic pre-qualifying tournament by winning this time 82-75.
The meeting was still undecided until the end and Argentina still led by four points at the start of the last act (63-59), until Eric Gordon brought down the lightning. After Buddy Hield and Kentwan Smith, the Suns back planted three missiles behind the arc to force the decision and give victory to his country, ending the game at 6/7 from 3-pointers for 27 units. At his side, Deandre Ayton had 10 points and 21 rebounds while Buddy Hield compiled 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
A dark period for Argentina
Argentinian side, deprived of Luca Vildoza, it is the great disappointment. Already absent from the World Cup, the finalist of the last world will not go to the Olympics despite Facundo Campazzo (14 points, 17 assists) and Gabriel Deck (21 points, 6 rebounds).
On the other hand, the great adventure continues for the Bahamas, which still has a chance of seeing Paris at the Olympic Games next summer. Ayton and his teammates will participate in the 2024 Olympic qualifying tournaments. They will pit 24 teams against each other, divided into four pools of six. The winner of each tournament will qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
For the moment, only France, as the organizing country, is qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games. The World Cup will allow the allocation of seven tickets: 2 for the Americas; 2 for Europe; 1 for Africa; 1 for Asia and 1 for Oceania.
