Slovenia trounced Spain 95-87 in the final game of the men’s basketball group round of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Sunday, completing a 3-0 sweep of their Group C games.
Slovenia concluded the group stage with a perfect 3-0 record, defeating Japan, Argentina, and now Spain. Vlatko Cancar of the Denver Nuggets led the way with 22 points.
Klemen Prepelic contributed 15 points, including eight in a late Slovenian surge to close the game. Mike Tobey had a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Doncic finished with 12 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists, coming close to a triple-double.
Slovenia had to come back from a fourth-quarter deficit after falling behind going into the final period. After a Pau Gasol three-pointer at the 6:23 mark of the fourth quarter, they trailed by six points, 82-76.
But, behind consistent free throw shooting and timely baskets from Prepelic and Tobey, the Slovenians went on a 19-5 run to close the game.
Slovenia defeated the reigning World Cup winners by scoring 27 points in the last quarter and playing tough defense.
Ricky Rubio led Spain with 18 points and nine rebounds, while the squad had five other players score eight points or more, including both Gasol brothers, Pau and Marc, who each scored eight points.
Slovenia’s Luka Doncic and his teammates went undefeated all the way to the quarterfinals. To compete in a medal competition, they must win their next game.