Argentina rallies past Australia to win Diamond Ball

(BEIJING, August 1) -- Defending Olympic Men's Basketball champion Argentina won the FIBA Diamond Ball on August 1, with a thrilling 95-91 win against Australia. Argentina was led by center Luis Scola's game-high 32 points and helped by 34 free-throw points on 39 attempts.

Both teams shot well in the first quarter from beyond the arc, with Argentina burying all four of its three-point attempts, and Australia making five of seven. Australia ended the quarter leading 25-24.

In the second quarter, Australia took advantage of Argentina's weak interior defense, going on a 10-0 run at the end of the quarter to take a 47-35 lead into halftime. Argentina forward Andres Nocioni scored 18 points to keep his team in the game.

Argentina came out aggressively after the break and showed the form that made them Olympic champions. Led by Scola's 15 points and shooting guard Manu Ginobili's 16, Argentina narrowed the gap to 69-62 by the end of the third quarter.

Both teams were impressive in the final period, but with Scola fouled out with 1:37 remaining in the game, Argentina found a game-winning hero in three-time NBA champion Ginobili. Argentina pushed ahead of Australia at 86-85 and then, led by Ginoboli's seven points, clinched a four-point victory.

Argentina will compete against Australia in Group A of the Olympic Men's Basketball tournament, which begins in Beijing on August 12. They will be joined in the group by Iran, Croatia, Russia and Lithuania.