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Australia’s men’s basketball Olympic campaign is at an end, with the Boomers going down to Spain in thrilling fashion 89-88.
The Aussies were behind for the majority of the game, but rallied in the final quarter to lead for large periods. Patty Mills was the centrepiece for the Aussies, scoring 30 vital points.
Click here for the as-it-happened report.
For Spain, Mills’ San Antonio Spurs teammate Pau Gasol led all scorers with 31 points in what is most likely his last Olympic campaign. Gasol kept Spain ahead throughout the game, and hit two clutch free throws with 30 seconds remaining to put Spain ahead by two.
After Australia regained possession, Baynes grabbed an offensive rebound and flipped the ball into the net with a crafty hook shot, giving Australia a lead with just ten seconds remaining.
From there, Spain advanced up the court. Philadelphia 76ers Sergio Rodriguez drove hard inside on Mills, where the referee called a blocking foul and sent Rodriguez to the line.
Mills originally celebrated like he’d won the match, thinking that Rodriguez had been called for an offensive foul. While it was a harsh call, the 76ers’ guard knocked down both free throws to give Spain the lead.
From there, Australia called a timeout and advanced up the court, but were unable to get a shot away in the final five seconds, handing Spain the bronze medal.
It was a bitter result for Australia, who dominated the tournament early on and looked set to take on the US for the gold. It is the fourth time the Australian men’s team have taken fourth place at the Olympics and continues their streak of never having won a medal at the Games.
For Spain, the win means they have not failed to finish on the podium since 2004, with silver medals in 2008 and 2012 to add to this bronze.
Score
Spain 89
Australia 88Stats leaders: Spain
Points: Gasol 31, Mirotic 14
Rebounds: Gasol 11, Mirotic 7
Assists: Rodriguez 5, Rubio 4
Stats leaders: Australia
Points: Mills 30, Andersen 15
Rebounds: Andersen 5, Ingles 5, Bogut 5
Assists: Dellavedova 8, Andersen 3
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