The Bahamas are heading to the Olympic Qualifiers for the first time ever.
Powered by Eric Gordon’s sizzling shooting, the Bahamians knocked off Argentina, 82-75, at the final round of the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Monday, Aug. 20.
Gordon led The Bahamas to their entry to the Olympic Qualifiers with his 27 points, shooting a highly efficient 8-for-13 from the field. He went off with a massive 11 fourth-quarter points to carry his nation’s basketball program to its biggest win in history thus far.
Travis Munnings had 16 points to add up for The Bahamas, while Buddy Hield added 15 markers. Deandre Ayton was massive inside with his 10-point, 21-board double-double.
The matchup for the lone ticket towards America’s Olympic Qualifiers spot was tightly contested up until down the final stretch of the last frame. But at the final 1:46 left, the Argentinians were stunned by the Bahamians’ 7-0 avalanche to wrap up the victory led by Gordon’s heroics from deep.
Argentina wasn’t able to respond to the offensive rally made by The Bahamas as they suffered from a painful and devastating elimination as the No. 4 overall FIBA-ranked nation.
Facundo Campazzo sizzled with a brilliant 14 points to go with 17 assists in a losing effort to keep Argentina afloat. Gabriel Deck led them in scoring with 21, while the 41-year-old Carlos Delfino had 15 markers and five rebounds.
The Bahamas reigned the entire tourney with an unblemished record. Now, they join Bahrain, Poland, Cameroon, and Croatia as the qualifying teams in next year’s Qualifiers.
The five mentioned nations are joining 19 FIBA Basketball World Cup teams to compete for a berth in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
