Argentina down Boomers

Australia has let a 19-point third-quarter lead slip away against reigning Olympic Champions Argentina in the final of the FIBA Diamond Ball tournament in Nanjing, China on Friday night.

Having lost the lead in the final quarter, a late three-pointer from Glen Saville brought the Boomers back to within one point with 26 seconds remaining, but the South Americans prevailed to win 95-90.

David Barlow top scored for the visitors with 16 points, while Pat Mills added 14 and skipper Matt Nielsen had 11, in a match where every Aussie player got on the score sheet.

Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola had a game-high 32 points, which included 28 in the second half. He was well supported from Manu Ginobili (24) and Andres Nocioni (20).

Star forward Andrew Bogut carried a slight ankle injury and was used sparingly by coach Brian Goorjian in the side's final hitout before the Olympics Games.

"I'm a little disappointed," Goorjian said.

"We had a great opportunity tonight and let it slip away but there are a lot of positives as well."

"We got better over the course of the tournament and we played a world class team tough."

"If we continue to grow like we did in this tournament it can be a positive Games for us."

Australia kicks off its Olympics campaign against Croatia next Sunday, and will face a re-match against the Argentineans two days later.

ARGENTINA 95 – Scola 32, Ginobili 24, Nocioni 20
AUSTRALIA 90 – Barlow 16, Mills 14, Nielsen 11