Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon led the Bahamas past Finland in the FIBA OQT. They combined for 59 points.
Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon combined for 59 points out of the team's 96 and led the Bahamas to the first victory in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Valencia, Spain.
The Bahamas secured a win over Finland, who were without Lauri Markkanen, with a final score of 96-85. Their next group-stage challenge is scheduled against Poland on Wednesday.
Ayton recorded a near double-double with 19 points (8/12 2PT, 3/4 FT) and 9 rebounds. Hield contributed a game-high 24 points (1/4 2PT, 6/12 3PT, 4/4 FT), 13 of which came in a dominant third quarter, while Gordon added 16 points (2/6 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 6/7 FT) to the scoreboard.
Adding to the Bahamas' success was 18-year-old talent Valdez Edgecombe Jr., committed to Baylor, who scored 20 points.
Although Finland led by as much as 10 points during the game, the Bahamas seized control in the third quarter, outscoring Finland 26-13.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was present to watch his center Ayton play for the national team.
Ayton, who spent five seasons with the Phoenix Suns before being traded last offseason to the Trail Blazers, started 55 games and averaged 16.7 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in his debut season with Portland.
