Rio Olympics: Spain defeats Argentina, advances to quarterfinals
Spain's guard Sergio Llull (L), Spain's point guard Ricky Rubio (3rd L) and Spain's power forward Felipe Reyes (Rear C) celebrate as Argentina's players unite (R) after a Men's round Group B basketball match between Spain and Argentina at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 15, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Credit: AFP/Getty Images / MARK RALSTON
RIO DE JANEIRO — The Spanish men’s basketball avoided elimination with a 92-73 win against Argentina on Monday, climbing out of a 0-2 hole to start the Olympics and advance to the quarterfinal round of the Rio Games.
The two-time defending silver medalists (3-2) are the No. 2 seed in Group B and faces Group A No. 3 France (3-2). With Spain’s win, Brazil was eliminated.
Spain fell behind 8-0 to start the game, but regrouped to take a 22-11 first-quarter lead that it never gave up. Rudy Fernandez score 10 straight during the 22-3 scoring run and finished with 23 points.
The Argentines (3-2) seemed to play with a sense of urgency only in spurts and never got within 10 points in the second half.
Argentina already had a quarterfinal berth in hand. Its seed won’t be determined until after the last game of pool play, Lithuania-Croatia. Nicolas Laprovittola paced Argentina with 21.
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