ZACATECAS (Mexico) – Mexico found an unstoppable formula from long range and turned it into a record. Omar Quintero’s team knocked down 28 three-pointers in a commanding 112-86 victory over Colombia on Thursday, August 27, setting a new record in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers. Mexico needed 48 attempts to make the 28 three-pointers, for a remarkable 58.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The feat becomes even more impressive considering the team made only nine two-point field goals and 10 free throws throughout the game.
The previous record belonged to Australia, which made 24 three-pointers against Guam on July 3 during Window 3. Mexico not only surpassed that mark, but did so by four made three-pointers to open the Second Round of the Americas Qualifiers in emphatic fashion. Mexico already held the record for most three-pointers made by a team in the Americas Qualifiers, with the 22 the team knocked down against Colombia on February 23, 2023. Interestingly, Colombia has been on the receiving end of the three highest-scoring three-point displays in the history of the Americas Qualifiers. In addition to Mexico’s two records, Brazil made 21 three-pointers against Colombia on February 28, 2022.
Andriassi, Cruz and Avila rain threes
Mexico’s historic night had three main protagonists. Moises Andriassi, Pako Cruz and Joseph Avila each finished with seven three-pointers, tying for the second-most three-pointers made in a single game in the history of the Americas Qualifiers. Andriassi went 7-of-9 from beyond the arc and finished with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for an efficiency rating of 35, the highest of the entire day. Cruz went 7-of-11 from three-point range to finish with 25 points, while Avila knocked down 7-of-10 and also scored 25 points.
Their seven three-pointers each put them in an exclusive group in the Americas Qualifiers. The only higher mark belongs to John Jenkins (USA) and Kassius Robertson (Canada), who have each made eight three-pointers in a single game. The other Mexican players who contributed to the new record were Paul Stoll (3 three-pointers), Karim Rodriguez (2), Gabriel Giron (1) and Jonatan Machado (1).
FIBA