Argentina wastes a 17-point lead and gets eliminated from World Cup

Gabriel Deck scored 27 points but Argentina wasted a 17-point lead in the third quarter and will not play in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

The Argentinian national team led by as much as 17 points at one point in the do-or-die game but it was not enough to take down the Dominican Republic.

Argentina led 61-44 with over 2 minutes remaining in the third quarter but then the guests started crawling back and the teams were only separated by 10 points heading into the final 10 minutes.

The home team was leading throughout the majority of the quarter. Nevertheless, the Dominican Republic was eliminating its deficit shot after shot, and the score was tied with 2 minutes to go.

After Victor Liz's layup, Nicolas Laprovittola stood to shoot two free throws that would've tied the game but missed them both. On the ensuing possession, Eloy Vargas made a wide-open layup after a pick-and-roll, and the Argentinians were already down by four.

The Dominicans converted their chances and took the 79-75 (19-24, 16-18, 19-22, 25-11) win that pushed them to the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

The winning team was led by Jean Montero who scored 22 points and made several clutch shots in the end.

Gabriel Deck and Nicolas Laprovittola arrived in Argentina from Spain to join Facundo Campazzo in hopes of advancing to the World Cup but it was not enough. Deck scored 27 points and was the leading scorer in the match.

With Brazil winning its matchup against the USA, Argentina was eliminated from reaching the World Cup. It will be the first time since 1982 that Argentina will not play in the World Cup.

The Dominican Republic will be participating in the World Cup for the fourth time in the country's history, with two of the previous three times coming in the last two World Cups in 2014 and 2019.