Puerto Rico dominated in overtime and pulled out a 101-96 win over South Sudan in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Stephen Thompson Jr. led the way for the Puerto Ricans with a double-double output of 21 points and 13 rebounds as they now hold a 1-1 win-loss record in Group B.
Tied at 81 at the start of extra overtime, Puerto Rico went on a 10-1 run capped by a triple by Thompson with two minutes and 30 seconds left in the game for a 91-82 lead over World Cup debutant.
Carlik Jones, who plays for the Chicago Bulls in the National Basketball Association, swished all three of his free throws with three seconds left in the game, 96-99, but Isaiah Piñeiro iced both his charities from the stripe to see the game through.
Jones’ 38-point eruption went down the drain as South Sudan continued to search for its first World Cup win.
Over at the Mall of Asia Arena, Georgios Papagiannis scored 19 points as Greece trampled over Jordan, 92-71.
