In the first quarter, Alvarado made two free throws after drawing a foul. Waters then hit back-to-back three-pointers, and Puerto Rico started with an 8-0 run. Omot responded with two successful free throws after being fouled. Alvarado then hit a three-pointer. In the first three minutes of the game, South Sudan was trailing 4-13 against Puerto Rico. Kuel scored two points off a steal, and Machar made a basket in the paint. South Sudan responded with an 8-0 run. Alvarado’s crucial three-pointer stopped the bleeding, and Waters also hit a difficult three-pointer. Gabriel scored in the paint. At the end of the first quarter, South Sudan was down 20-28 against Puerto Rico.
In the second quarter, Jok hit a three-pointer and then scored on a layup. South Sudan also went on an 8-0 run to start the quarter. Howard made a tough 3+1 play. Claver also hit a three-pointer. South Sudan was trailing 31-35 against Puerto Rico. Both teams missed several shots, and with five minutes left in the quarter, Alvarado made a mid-range shot. Puerto Rico built a nine-point lead. Jok hit a corner three-pointer. The teams maintained a seven-point gap. Jones’ difficult floater at the buzzer brought the score to South Sudan 48-54 Puerto Rico at halftime.
In the third quarter, Gabriel scored in the paint. Machar hit a three-pointer, and Alvarado returned to the game. Omot hit a three-pointer to take the lead. Kuel also hit a three-pointer. In the first four minutes of the quarter, South Sudan went on an 11-0 run. Waters made two free throws after drawing a foul. Puerto Rico missed several three-point attempts. Kuel scored again. South Sudan led 62-56 against Puerto Rico. Alvarado scored five straight points to stop the bleeding. Jok hit a corner three-pointer. Then, Jones and Alvarado traded two-point baskets. At the end of the third quarter, South Sudan led 71-69 against Puerto Rico.
In the fourth quarter, Jones scored on a mid-range shot. South Sudan’s defense on the ball-handler was relatively outstanding. Puerto Rico missed several shots. Alvarado was subbed out. Waters and Kuel traded two-point baskets. Machar scored on a putback and made two free throws after drawing a foul. In the first five minutes of the quarter, South Sudan led 79-73 against Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico then missed two free throws. Thor scored four straight points, and South Sudan extended their lead into double digits. Carrick Jones hit a three-pointer. Puerto Rico scored four quick points. Gabriel responded with a dunk to seal the game.
South Sudan ultimately defeated Puerto Rico 90-79.
Player Statistics
South Sudan: Jones 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists; Machar 15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Kuel 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals; Omot 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal; Kakur 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist; Elwin 6 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Thor 6 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Deng 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist; Dech 3 points, 1 rebound; Marwach 2 points, 2 rebounds;
Puerto Rico: Alvarado 26 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals; Waters 18 points, 4 assists, 2 steals; Conditt IV 13 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Claver 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals; Pinero 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Howard 4 points, 1 rebound; Ortiz 3 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists; Reed 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Barea 2 rebounds, 1 steal; Romero 6 rebounds;
Starting Lineups
Puerto Rico: Pinero, Conditt, Alvarado, Romero, Waters
South Sudan: Jones, Omot, Kuel, Gabriel, Machar