Reigning Olympic champion Argentina dominated from the start on Wednesday morning (AEST) to leave the Australian men's basketball team in danger of missing the medal play-offs after their group match in Beijing. The Argentinians raced out to lead by 18 points at one stage in the first quarter and the Boomers were never in touch for the rest of the contest, with the match finishing 85-68.
The result leaves Australia with two losses from two starts, alongside the winless Iran. The Boomers must still play Iran, Lithuania and Russia in the group stages.
Argentina leaped ahead of Australia 23-5 late in the first quarter, but the Aussies closed the gap to 39-29 by half-time.
The South Americans stretched the lead to 61-42 late in the third quarter and cruised home from there.
Patrick Mills led Australia with 22 points, 18 of those coming in the second half.
Milwaukee Bucks star Andrew Bogut spent 24 minutes on the pine for the Boomers but only managed 7 points in a disappointing performance.
Luis Scola added 17 points for Argentina while Carlos Delfino had 14 points and Fabricio Oberto scored 12.
- ABC/AFP
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