Spain nearly blew a 22-point lead but recovered against fellow quarterfinal-bound Serbia to stay unscathed in Group A in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 women’s basketball.
Spain seized control in the first three quarters and did just enough in the homestretch to turn back Serbia, 70-62, in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 women’s basketball on Saturday, August 3 (Philippine time).
With both squads already assured of quarterfinal seats prior to the match, it was World No. 2 Spain that sustained its momentum heading to the next round as it preserved its perfect record to 3-0 to emerge atop Group A.
Tenth-ranked Serbia, meanwhile, absorbed its first loss at 2-1 for second.
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Maria Conde led the way for the Spanish quintet with 15 points, while Queralt Casas added 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Paula Ginzo scored eight, while Mariona Ortiz added six points, four of which she made in the face of a spirited Serbia rally in the final minutes.
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After Ginzo made the baseline jumper to make it seem like Spain already had it in the bag, 63-41, with 5:57 go, fellow European juggernaut Serbia suddenly flipped the switch.
With better defense, the Serbs mounted a furious 16-3 uprising to trim what was once an insurmountable gap to nine, 66-57, with only 2:16 left in the game.
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Almost a minute later, Ortiz stopped the bleeding for the Spanish side with a floater, but the Serbians had no quit in them.
They scored five more points after that, including a three-point play from Yvonne Anderson with 46.3 ticks to go to come within six, 62-68.
While they were on a roll, there was little time for them to turn the tables.
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Anderson paced Serbia with 18 points, two rebounds, seven assists and four steals.
Jovanna Nogic, Angela Dugalic, and Mina Djordjevic chipped in seven points each.