By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In a game decided by details, New Zealand beat Egypt 88-86 and both teams are now tied with a 2-2 record on the top of Group N and they also both made it to the pre-Olympic qualifiers.
With one minute left, the score was tied at 86 and anything could happen. Reuben Te Rangi with two free throws and 17 seconds left made two crucial free throws, Amr El Gendy missed a three and the game was over.
Te Randi had nine points in total, while Finn Delany had an amazing performance with 27 points and Izayah Le’Afa also scored 27.
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For the losing side, which needed not only the win but a point margin of 23 points in order to get a direct qualification to the Paris Olympics instead of South Soudan getting the spot for Africa, Ehab Amin, and Amr El Gendy scored 19 points each.
Mexico defeats Jordan and tireless Hollis-Jefferson to clinch pre-Olympic qualifiers
After going 0-3 in the first phase, Mexico won both matches in the classification rounds, defeating New Zealand, and now Jordan 93-80.
Gabriel Giron led the way to a crucial victory with 21 points, securing Mexico’s place in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualification Tournament.
Paul Stoll followed with 19 points, Paco Cruz added 17, Joshua Ibarra scored 16 points, while Fabian Jaimes achieved a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
For Jordan, one of the brightest stars of the tournament, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, fell just two rebounds short of a historic triple-double, recording 26 points with 10 assists. He also played the entire 40 minutes on the court.
Amin Abu Hawwas and Ahmed Duverioglu followed him with 15 points each, while the former Fenerbahce big man grabbed nine rebounds, as Jordan finishes World Cup with 0-5.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL