South Sudan beats Puerto Rico, Spain beats China

South Sudan opened the Olympic men’s basketball season with a convincing 90-79 win over Puerto Rico in Group C, while Spain’s women defeated China 90-89 in overtime in Group A on Sunday at Pierre Mauroy Stadium.

Puerto Rico dominated the first half with an impressive shooting display, with Jordan Howard making three-pointers to give them a six-point lead at the end of the second quarter.

As unstoppable as they looked, Jose Alvarado was forced to leave the field just before half-time with an ankle injury.

The NBA forward from New Orleans returned for the second half, but it proved to be a turning point as South Sudan grew in confidence to advance.

Carlik Jones led the African team’s comeback with 19 points and the highlight for South Sudan was Wenyen Gabriel’s amazing dunk a minute from time.

The Spanish women overcame a tough opponent: China, led by Yueru Li, who scored 31 points. In the last quarter, they came back and tied the score: 76-76 thanks to a three-pointer by guard Leonor Rodriguez with six seconds left on the clock.

The Spaniards’ teamwork paid off, with Megan Gustafson and Maria Araujo making the most of their chances and Rodriguez sealing the victory with a free kick after committing a foul 13 seconds before the end of the match.

Kevin Durant’s United States will face Nikola Jokic’s Serbia in the final match of the men’s Group C. In the women’s group, Serbia will play Puerto Rico in Group A later on Sunday.