At several points throughout the extended ending of Brazil’s double-overtime matchup, it looked like the Rio Olympics hosts were going to pull out victory against their rivals, Argentina.
However, due to monumental twin efforts by Andre Nocioni and Facundo Campazzo, Argentina escaped with a crucial 111-107 win after six periods at Carioca Arena.
Lakers point guard Marcelo Huertas served as the director of Brazil’s offense, tallying 14 points (5-of-11) and three assists. However, the Brazilian captain was absent when his team needed him most, having fouled out early on in the first overtime.
Nocioni was an inferno for Argentina (2-2) all night long, racking up 37 points, which tied teammate Luis Scola’s national Olympic record from the 2008 Games.
While also collecting 11 rebounds, Nocioni shot 11-of-19 from the field and 7-of-8 on free throws, plus a game-breaking 8-of-12 from 3-point range. He saved his most sensational play for the end of regulation after Huertas hit a pair of clutch free throws.
Nocioni fired a corner triple on the next possession, which bounced around the rim and in to tie at 85 with three seconds left. Brazil (1-3) came up fruitless on its responding attempt, as Nene Hilario passed to Huertas at the least second, and the Laker’s desperation shot simply bounced off the side of the backboard.
Huertas — who entered the game with the Olympics’ third-highest assist average (6.3)– was in charge to start overtime, hitting Alex Garcia for an dime on the frame’s first score. However, “Marcelinho” picked up his fifth and final foul immediately after.
The Brazilians nonetheless led by as many as six in the first overtime before Argentina clawed its way back. Campazzo capped off this blitz by providing the tying layup with 36 seconds remaining.
Argentina was in charge from the start in double overtime, opening up the period with eight unanswered points. Leandro Barbosa, who was scoreless before the start of the frame, nearly singlehandedly brought Brazil back by scoring nine straight for his team to cut its deficit to 106-105 with 77 seconds to go.
Though Nocioni and Scola (14 points, 10 rebounds) fouled out, Argentina still pulled out the victory.
Much of this win could be credited to Campazzo, who added his team’s third double-double with 33 points and 11 assists. He also shot 9-of-22 from the field and 10-of-12 at the foul line while adding five 3-pointers and four steals.
On the other end, Nene led Brazil with 25 points (11-of-17) and 11 rebounds.
Now saddled with a 1-3 record, Brazil must win its final game in pool play and receive some help in order to advance to the quarterfinals. The Brazilians will need to defeat Nigeria on Monday at 10:15 a.m. PT and sneak in via losses by Spain or Croatia.
Tiebreakers are determined first by head-to-head contests. Brazil beat the Spaniards and lost to the Croatians. If all three teams are tied and have beaten each other, advancement will be determined by points scored and then point differential.
The top four sides of the six-team Group B will move on to Wednesday’s quarterfinals.
