A first-ever win in its maiden Olympic basketball game for World No. 33 South Sudan against Puerto Rico, a team 17 notches higher in the rankings.
World No. 33 South Sudan turned it up a notch in the second half to topple 16th-ranked Puerto Rico, 90-79, for a historic first-ever win in its debut in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium on Sunday, July 28.
After trailing behind by as much as nine points and at 48-54 at the break, South Sudan unleashed a 42-25 bomb in the second half to turn the match around and kickstart Group C action on a high note.
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Carlik Jones led the assault for South Sudan, turning in 19 points he spiked with seven rebounds and six assists.
Four other players logged double figures to back Jones as Marial Shayok put in 15, Nuni Omot and Bul Kuol each had 12 and Peter Jok contributed 11.
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Jose Alvarado rallied Puerto Rico with 26 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals.
Puerto Rico drew 18 points from Tremont Waters, 13 from George Conditt Iv and 11 from Gian Clavell but these were not enough as the World No. 16 squad lost steam in the end after going behind by just two points, 69-71, entering the final period.