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LAS VEGAS (2007 FIBA Americas Championship) - Hot-shooting guards Elias Ayuso and Carlos Arroyo combined for 69 points to spark Puerto Rico to a thrilling 111-107 victory over short-handed Brazil in the bronze medal game of the FIBA Americas Championship on Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Ayuso finished the game with 39 points and nailed eight-of-12 three pointers, as the Puerto Ricans connected on 15-of-28 overall.

Brazil's Marcelo Magalhaes hit six of Brazil's 13 triples and finished with a team-high 21 points.

After falling behind by as many as 22 points in the first half, Brazil, playing without injured center Nene, outscored Puerto Rico 38-30 in the fourth quarter to get to within one point with only seconds to go.

For Puerto Rico Arroyo added a game-high 10 assists while Luis Reyes chipped in 15 points and 15 rebounds. Tiago Splitter tallied 19 points and 13 rebounds for Brazil.

David COOPER
USA Basketball