Spain oust New Zealand to remain unbeaten in men's basketball

European runners-up Spain ousted New Zealand 88-84 in Athens on August 23 to remain unbeaten in the Athens Olympic men's basketball tournament.

The Spaniards finished top of preliminary Group A with their fifth straight win and set up a quarter-final clash with fourth finisher from Group B while New Zealand, with a 1-4 record, will go to the 9th-12th play-offs.

Spain squandered a 51-37 lead early in the third quarter to allow New Zealand tie it at 81-all with 2:50 to go.

At the crucial point, Pau Gasol stepped forward to make two free throws and a three-pointer in a row to give Spain a 86-81 lead with 1:56 left.

Pero Cameron nailed a three-pointer, his fourth in the game, to make it 86-84, but that's the furthest New Zealand could go.

Carlos Jimenez finally sealed the victory for Spain with two shots from the line with 12 seconds remaining.

"It was a complicated game since we had already secured first place, but we had to play for our honor, our professionalism and for a clean competition." said Jorge Garbajosa, who led Spain with 17 points.

"We will go to the quarter-finals with the same approach whether we play the United States, Puerto Rico or Greece,"

Pau Gasol contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes for Spain and Rodolfo Fernandez came from the bench to add 15 points.

Phillip Jones, who scored game-high 23 points, were disappointed with the last finish of New Zealand in the group.

"We paid for the loss to China and the terrible start we had in the game with Italy," Jones said.

"It does not make much difference if we lose by 20 points instead of one or two, we came here to show that we can win."

Jones, 30, was considering retirement from the national team.

"I do not know what will happen in the next World Championships. Myself and some players might not be around for that, the younger players might."