Men's Basketball Loses Semifinal to Argentina

Posted on Aug. 29, 2004

When Argentina beat the United States in the semifinals Friday, the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team lost any chance for gold.

The Argentinians led by five points at halftime, and widened that lead to 13 points by the end of the third quarter. The Americans closed the gap slightly but the game ended 89-81 in Argentina’s favor. The era of American dominance on the Olympic stage was over.

The USA had won the basketball gold medal at the previous three editions of the Olympic Games and many believed a fourth consecutive gold was a foregone conclusion.

Argentina defeats U.S.; No longer invincible, USA loses shot at gold

U.S. fails to reach men’s hoops final for second time ever