MONTEVIDEO (Uruguay) – In a game completely different than the one these two countries played Thursday in Panama City, Uruguay had to dig deep to erase a double-digit deficit and win it 84-82 at the buzzer. The crowd at Antel Arena in Montevideo went home delirious after Santiago Véscovi assisted a streaking Martín Rojas for the game-winning layup.
Turning point
After coming back from a 12-point third-quarter deficit, Uruguay found themselves again down 78-74 with 2:39 to go until the end of regulation on a Trevor Gaskins three-pointer after an offensive rebound. However, Gerardo Jauri’s guys closed the game on a 10-4 run behind the late heroics of point guard Santiago Vescovi, who had an and-1 and the game-winning assist as time expired.
Player of the game
Joaquín Rodríguez went off for 29 points on 9-for-16 from the field, including 5-for-11 from long distance. He added 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals for a game-high 35 efficiency (third best mark in the FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers). His 17 first-half points kept Uruguay afloat as Panama made their run.
Véscovi scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter. He also chipped in 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 6 steals – the second-highest mark in the Qualifiers, only one behind Sadiel Rojas (Dominican Republic). Luciano Parodi (11 points and 7 assists) was also instrumental in the South Americans’ win. Jhivvan Jackson, grandson of legendary player and coach Flor Meléndez, led the way for Panama with 29 points on 10-for-21 from the field. He also had 6 assists, 3 rebounds, a steal and a block. Erick Romero (15), Akil Mitchell (14) and Trevor Gaskins (10) also scored in double digits.
Stats don’t lie
Despite being outshot 48 percent to 40 percent, Uruguay managed to keep it close and eventually won it thanks to the effort on the passing lanes and the offensive glass. The South Americans had a 20-11 edge in points off turnovers and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, which they turned into 15 second-chance points. Uruguay also ran the break better, outscoring Panama 16-6 in transition.
Bottom line
Uruguay now sits atop Group D with a perfect 2-0, having done it against the team’s closest opponent, on paper, in the group. They’ll now play against Argentina (1-0) and Cuba (0-1) respectively in late February and early March. Panama (0-2) has now lost 12 of the team’s 14 road games in World Cup Qualifiers. Next up, they’ll face Cuba.
They said
FIBA