CARACAS, Venezuela (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men): Korea fought tooth and nail before being out-rebounded by 2011 FIBA Americas Championship bronze medalists Dominican Republic and thus lost 85-95 (Box scores) in the Group C game of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men on Tuesday and thus bowed out of race for a place in the fray for 2012 London Olympics.

Korea’s fellow FIBA Asia team Jordan too lost – in a much less spectacular fashion by 52-93 (Box scores) to Puerto Rico – completing their Group A engagements without a win.

Thus, China will be the only FIBA Asia representative in the men’s basketball competition at the 2012 London Olympics.

Battle of boards

A whopping 27-56 deficit in rebounds was the most stinging stat in Korea’s defeat.

Lee Sang-Beom’s team had given a good account of themselves even closing the first half with a four-point lead (41-37) before Dominican Republic outplayed them in the third with a 34-24 run to take control.

Le Seungjun (pic above) led Korea’s campaign with 21 points and 6 rebounds.

Kim Sunhyung had 14 points.

Sam Daghles had 17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, but that his was the only double-digit score undid Jordan’s hopes.

Tab Baldwin’s team fell back 11-29 at the end of the first quarter and trailed 22-54 at the end of the first half thus letting the game slip by.

FIBA Asia