SAN JUAN (2009 FIBA Americas Championship) - After two losses, Argentina found a way to get their first victory by helping their leading scorer, Luis Scola, on day four of the FIBA Americas Championship. Argentina crushed Panama 80-55 to finish day four of the tournament.

The first quarter ended 28-13 in favor of the Argentineans as they shot 60% from the field (9-15) and 9-9 from the free throw line. Scola and Federico Kammerichs had 7 points each while Andres Pelussi was valuable leading with 8 points.

In the second quarter the offense of Pablo Prigioni, who scored 10 points, along with a balanced attack kept them on top as the first 20 minutes finished 48-30. Kammerichs had 10 points, Pelussi 8 and Leo Gutierrez 6. Jamar Warren led Panama with 9 points, Danilo Pinnock 8 and Jaime Lloreda 4.

Panama kept closing in on Argentina led by Warren along with Lloreda but at the end the score was 60-49. Lloreda and Warren netted 7 each in the third quarter.

Scola took charge of the offense in the final quarter while on defense they stopped the Panamanian shooters to secure a comfortable win. The Houston Rockets forward finished with 20 points and Pablo Prigioni 19 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Panama had Jamar Warren with 18 points, Jaime Lloreda 13 and Danilo Pinnock 11.

In the final day of the preliminary round Argentina plays the Dominican Republic and Panama faces Brazil with quarterfinals hope for both teams hang in the balance against the two strongest teams.

Luis Modestti
FIBA Americas

ll Watch highlights of the game at FIBATV.com now - click here