The United States thought they had they had learned
their lesson and got their wake-up calls during the exhibition season.
But Puerto Rico handed them more than a wake-up call. Carlos Arroyo
scored 24 points and dished out seven assists in Puerto Rico's 92-73
thrashing of the U.S.
It was the U.S.'s first Olympic loss since 1988 and their first loss since
NBA players became involved. The defending three-time gold medalists
looked out of sync and in dissaray at various times during the contest.
The U.S. took an early first quarter lead but never regained it in their
humiliating loss. Puerto Rico returned the U.S. favor after getting
trounced 96-71 earlier in exhibition play.
The loss marked just the third in the United States history of Olympic
basketball play. The other two losses came versus the Soviet Union
in the gold medal game in 1978 and in the 1988 semifinals.
The United States shot just 31 percent in the first half while Puerto Rico
shot a solid 55 percent. The shooting percentage reinforces the fact
that the U.S. is having major trouble hitting the outside jumper.
For the game the U.S. shot just 35 percent (26-75) while Puerto Rico shot
56 percent from the field (31-55). The Puerto Rico steady shooting
negated the American rebounding margin of 46-27.
Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson each scored 15 points in the U.S. loss.
Duncan was double and even triple-teamed most of the contest, and just
dared the U.S. to make an outside shot. Duncan still produced 16
boards. Without him, the United States would be lost.
The U.S. got outscored by 21 points in the second quarter, mainly due to
the bench play or lack there of.
The U.S. squad faces off against the hometown team Greece Tuesday.
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