Echenique Helps Venezuela To Victory in Olympics

BOX SCORE

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Creighton graduate Gregory Echenique had four points, two rebounds and two assists to help Venezuela pick up a 72-68 victory over China on Wednesday evening in Rio de Janeiro.

The victory was Venezuela's second all-time in Olympic competition, joining its 1992 victory over China in Barcelona.

The win improves Venezuela to 1-2 this week in Rio and could figure prominently as it tries to advance into next week's tournament quarterfinals that lead into the medal round. To reach the quarterfinals, Venezuela likely needs to upset either France or Australia in its remaining games.

For the second time in three games, Echenique scored Venezuela's first points of the night to help his team to a 7-0 lead. Venezuela's lead reached as large as 15 in the first quarter and was 25-13 after the opening 10 minutes.

With Echenique on the bench for much of the second quarter due to foul trouble, China clawed back. The Chinese team, starring NBA veteran Yi Jianlian, tied the game twice in the second quarter but Venezuela owned a 38-35 halftime edge.

China (0-3) took its only lead of the evening at 41-40, but Venezuela quickly took the lead back with four straight points. The South Americans held a 51-50 lead after three quarters.

Venezuela opened up a lead in the fourth quarter as large as 64-56, but China rallied within in one twice in the final two minutes before Venezuela held off a valiant effort.

Echenique is now averaging 11.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game through three Olympic contests. He's shooting 75.0 percent from the field and 76.9 percent from the free throw line thus far.

Echenique is the Creighton's first Olympian on the hardwood since Willard Schmidt played for the US in 1936. Echenique and Schmidt are two of five Olympians in Creighton history, joining Carl Vincequerra (1936 boxing), Scott Servais (1988 baseball) and Chad McConnell (1992 baseball). Schmidt and Servais are the only two Bluejays to earn a medal, with each man taking home a gold medal.

Echenique and Venezuela return to the court on Friday night at 8:30 pm Central with a game against France.

Previous features on Gregory Echenique
July 30: Basketball Alum Gregory Echenique Named to Venezuelan National Team; Will Compete in Olympics
July 30: Creighton Coach Greg McDermott Discusses Olympian Gregory Echenique
Aug. 5: Exclusive Interview With Olympian Gregory Echenique
Aug. 6: Echenique Scores 12 In Olympic Debut For Venezuela
Aug. 8: Team USA Too Much For Venezuela; Echenique

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