Once on the brink of elimination just 48 hours ago, Spain is now assured of its first-ever Olympic medal in women's basketball.
Spain frustrated Serbia all-game long with a masterful defensive performance to march towards the final of the 2016 Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with a decisive 68-54 semi-final win on Thursday at the Carioca Arena.
Laura Nicholls tallied a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds as Spain held Serbia to its worst performance of the games when the newcomers needed it last.
Nicholls also had three blocks. Alba Torrens and Astou Ndour each scored 14 points while Silvia Dominguez contributed 10 points.
Using impressive ball and player movement, Spain jumped to a 20-9 lead after the first quarter. Spain's versatility in the wing positions also worked wonders on the defensive end, as Serbia shot a miserable 4-for-20 from the floor in the opening quarter. Sasa Cado though led the team back in the game, scoring seven in an 11-2 run which cut the deficit down to 22-20.
Serbia defended Spain's pick and rolls better in the second period, and managed to stay within five points of Spain entering the halftime break even with most of its key players struggling from the floor.
But Spain once again padded the lead in the third quarter, as Serbia took over six minutes to score its first field goal of the period.
Five straight points by Silvia Dominguez on a triple and two foul shots pushed the advantage up to 46-30.
And while frustration mounted for Serbia towards the end of the third, as Sonja Petrovic kicked a pair of Rio 2016 boards on the baseline, Spain maintained separation and never went threatened after that point.
After the final buzzer, the jubilant Spanish side stormed the floor to celebrate its first ever final stint -- and medal finish -- in four Olympic appearances.
All of the experience showed in the game for Spain, which assisted 20 field goal makes, nine more than Serbia. The team also had a 44-31 lead in rebounding and limited Serbia to only 31 percent from the field.
Cado led the Serbs with 12 points including 2-for-3 from three-point area. Sonja Petrovic added 12 points but shot only 4-for-15 from the field. Jelena Milovanovic, another key player in Serbia's run, scored 10 points but likewise shot 4-for-15 from the floor in a game plagued by foul trouble. Ana Dabovic had eight points on 4-for-12 shooting.
Serbia will try to clinch the bronze on August 20 against the loser of the United States-France match.
All photos from FIBA.com
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