Clutch shots from unlikely heroes power Georgia past Spain in overtime

2022-07-04 17:26
Credit: FIBA
Credit FIBA

Giorgi Shermadini and Tornike Shengelia's duo coupled with several key moments from the team's role players proved too much for the Spanish national team (4-1) as Georgia (4-2) beat the European basketball powerhouse 82-76 (15-14, 22-17, 7-16, 23-20, 15-9) in overtime.

With just over half a minute to go in the fourth quarter, Ferran Bassas lost the ball while trying to dribble it past the halfcourt line. Rati Andronikashvili quickly stole the ball and ended the fast break with a crowd-pleasing dunk to push the lead to three (67-64) with half a minute to go.

Multiple Spanish players tried to tie the score in the possession that followed. Both Dario Brizuela and Xabi Lopez-Arostegui missed their shots, but after securing a third chance to tie the game, Brizuela's second long-distance shot was successful, and the game was tied with 18.2 seconds to go.

The last chance in the quarter belonged to Georgia. However, Shengelia's tough driving layup was no good, and the teams had to go to overtime.

It was Andronikashvili's time in the overtime. With Spain leading by one (73-72), the Georgian guard scored a layup and made an important three-pointer in the next possession to push the home team's lead to four (77-73).

Although Spain closed the deficit to one (77-76), Thaddus McFadden hit a huge triple of Shengelia's screen to ice the game with 33 seconds to go. Spain was not able to respond and lost for the first time in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Giorgi Shermadini was the top scorer on the Georgian team with 18 points and 5 rebounds for 22 PIR. Tornike Shengelia joined in with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds while also adding 7 assists and 4 steals for 21 PIR.

Game-hero Andronikashvili finished the game with 17 points on a 7-for-11 shooting. He also grabbed two rebounds, stole 2 balls, but turned the ball over 4 times for a total of 13 PIR.

Xabi Lopez-Arostegui was the top scorer on the Spanish squad with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals for 20 PIR.

Both teams have already advanced to the next round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. Spain will finish in first place in Group G regardless of the last game against Ukraine while Georgia will either finish second or third depending on the outcome of that match.

Georgia: Giorgi Shermadini 18 (6/8 2PT, 6/8 FT, 5 REB, 22 PIR), Rati Andronikashvili 17 (5/8 2PT, 2/3 3PT, 2 STL), Thaddus McFadden 16 (1/10 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 5/5 FT, 8 AST, 4 TO), Tornike Shengelia 12 (4/11 2PT, 4/4 FT, 10 REB, 7 AST, 4 STL, 21 PIR).

Spain: Xabi Lopez-Arostegui 14 (3/7 3PT, 6 REB, 3 STL, 20 PIR), Dario Brizuela 12 (2/8 3PT), Joel Parra 11 (5/8 2PT, 6 REB), Ferran Bassas 10 (7 AST), Fran Guerra 10 (5/6 2PT, 9 REB, 20 PIR).

Full game highlights:



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