2013 FIBA Americas Championship: Argentina cops third place, bests Dominican Republic

Facundo Campazzo exploded for 31 points, 15 coming off three-pointers, to help Argentina claim third place in the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, via a 103-93 win over the Dominican Republic, Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time) at the Polidro de Caracas in Caracas, Venezuela.

Campazzo's game-high 31 came on an 8-of-10 clip from the field, and he also converted 10-of-15 free throws. In addition, the 22-year-old point guard made it a double-double with 11 assists, plus four rebounds.

The two teams were deadlocked through the first half, but Argentina managed to claim a slim 69-68 lead heading into the final canto.

There, the 2011 champions' offense picked up, exploding for 34 markers to overwhelm their foes.

Veteran big man Luis Scola added 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists in support of Argentina, while Juan Pedro Gutierrez Lanas chimed in with 17 markers, five rebounds and four assists.

The Dominican Republic was led by Edgar Sosa's 20 points, while Yack Michael Martinez put together a monster double-double, 17 points and 18 boards.

Argentina finished shooting 60 percent from the field, 43.5 percent from downtown, but their foes managed to stay in the game thanks to superior free throw shooting, as they converted 75 percent of their 28 charities, versus just a 50 percent mark on 30 tries.

Both teams though will see action next year in the FIBA World Cup in Spain, as the Americas region will send their top four squads.

Last Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time), Puerto Rico had dispatched the Dominican Republic 79-67, while Mexico upset Argentina 76-70. Those two teams were still playing in the fourth quarter of their championship match as of writing. - AMD, GMA News