Argentina Seals Comeback Win Over Puerto Rico

A put-back by Rocio Evangelina Diaz with eight seconds left and two free throws from Melisa Paola Gretter with three seconds remaining sealed a 68-60, comeback win for Argentina (1-1) over Puerto Rico (0-2) in Group B preliminary round play in the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Women on June 24 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Down by as many as seven points with one minute left in the third quarter, Argentina out-scored Puerto Rico, 22-13, over the fourth to earn its first preliminary round win in Group B.

Diaz led Argentina with 19 points and added six rebounds, while Gretter scored 13 points and had 12 assists. Daiana Noeli Acosta also had 10 for Argentina.

"(Puerto Rico) played better than we expected," Argentina coach Eduardo Pinto. "We didn't play well, but the most important thing is the heart the girls had in the end to win the game."

Puerto Rico's Rita Acevedo led all scorers with 20 points and added seven rebounds. Ashley Santos had 15 points for Puerto Rico, while Kiara Quinones scored 10 points.

The win keeps Argentina alive to qualify for the medal semifinals in Group B. Argentina will play Brazil (1-0) on Fri., June 25 at 3:30 p.m. (all times MDT).

Puerto Rico, meanwhile, was eliminated from medal contention with the loss and will play out for fifth through eighth places. It will play its final preliminary round game on June 25 against the USA at 5:45 p.m.