Puerto Rico got here again from a double-digit halftime deficit and took care of business in additional time as they booked a 101-96 comeback win over South Sudan in Group B of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup on Saturday on the Araneta Coliseum.
They needed to survive an enormous efficiency, although, from Chicago Bull and NBA G League MVP Carlik Jones, who erupted for 38 factors alongside 11 assists and 4 steals for South Sudan.
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Jones made his presence felt early, scoring eight factors and shelling out 4 assists within the first quarter alone. By halftime, he had upped his scoring whole to 16 factors as South Sudan constructed a double-digit lead, 52-42.
Puerto Rico, although, chipped away earlier than Ismael Romero emerged as their hero in regulation, scoring eight factors within the fourth, together with back-to-back baskets late that turned a three-point South Sudan lead right into a 79-78 benefit for the Puerto Ricans.
A clutch three-pointer from Jones tied the sport at 81-apiece with 10 seconds left earlier than Romero had an opportunity to place the sport away with two free throw makes an attempt with 0.3 ticks left on the clock, however he missed each.
That didn’t matter a lot, although, as his teammates George Conditt and Stephen Thompson Jr. got here up massive within the further interval. Conditt transformed on an and-one and Thompson Jr. knocked down two triples as they went on a 10-1 run to construct a 91-82 cushion.
Despite some extra heroics from Jones, who scored 11 of South Sudan’s 15 factors in additional time, Puerto Rico got here away with the win due to regular free throw capturing from Jordan Howard and Isaiah Piniero.
Thompson Jr. led the way in which for Puerto Rico with team-highs of 21 factors and 13 rebounds.
Tremont Waters added 19 factors and 10 assists whereas Conditt (18 factors, 11 rebounds) and Romero (16 factors, 12 rebounds) additionally had double-doubles.
The scores:
Puerto Rico 101 – Thompson Jr. 21, Waters 19, Conditt 18, Romero 16, Piniero 14, Howard 11, Holland 2, Ford 0, Ortiz 0, Reyes 0, Toro Barea 0.
South Sudan 96 – Jones 38, Gabriel 15, Kacuol 13, Omot 11, Shakyok 11, Deng 6, Dech 2, Bar 0, Kuany 0.
Quarters: 24-29, 42-52, 60-67, 81-81, 101-96 (OT).
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
