With a trip to the 2024 Olympic Games on the line, Spain relied on its veteran players on Sunday to defeat the Bahamas and guarantee its ticket to Paris, France.
Lorenzo Brown produced a team-high 18 points, Willy Hernangomez scored 15 points and seven rebounds and Santi Aldama added 12 points to lead Spain to the 86-78 victory and clinch its seventh consecutive berth in the Olympic Games.
Spanish legend Rudy Fernandez chipped in nine points in 20 minutes.
The game was evenly matched in the first quarter as the two teams were tied at 17 points after the first 10 minutes. Spain outscored the Bahamas 25-17 in the second quarter to take the lead for good. In all, the group led for nearly 27 minutes.
The Bahamas, led by Buddy Hield’s 19 points and Deandre Ayton’s 17 points and 14 rebounds, cut the deficit to six points with just under two minutes to play but were unable to get any closer after being held to one point the rest of the way.
It was our lucky day: we got to watch Lorenzo Brown hoop 🤩
Brown de Albacete brings home TCL Player of the Game honours, as well as a #Paris2024 ticket 🎟️#FIBAOQT pic.twitter.com/2pkTVngBbm
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 7, 2024
Spain finished its run in the qualifying tournament with a 4-0 record. The team emerged as the top country from Group A after defeating Lebanon and Angola. The Spaniards then knocked off Finland in the semifinal to set up their matchup against the Bahamas, who were 3-0.
The team claims one of the four remaining spots in the 2024 Olympic Games. It will be placed in Group A to start the Olympics, along with Australia, Canada and Greece, who defeated Croatia on Sunday in its qualifying tournament.
Spain will open up the Olympic Games on July 27 against Australia. The team will then face Greece on July 30 before wrapping up the group phase on Aug. 2 against Canada.
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