Echenique Scores 12 But Venezuela Falls to France

BOX SCORE

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Creighton grad Gregory Echenique led Venezuela in scoring for the third time in four games at the 2016 Summer Olympics, but it wasn't enough to propel his team to victory against France on Friday evening in Rio de Janeiro.

Echenique had 12 points and three rebounds overall, playing 26 minutes, as France won 96-56. He made 4-of-6 field goal attempts and all four tries from the charity stripe.

Echenique had six points in the first quarter, but France owned a 23-18 lead after the first 10 minutes. Echenique did not appear in the second quarter as France extended its lead to 42-30.

France, a team that includes NBA veterans such as Tony Parker, Rudy Gobert, Boris Diaw and Nicolas Batum, stretched its lead to 66-47 before closing out the lopsided victory.

Echenique is now averaging 11.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game through four Olympic contests, leading the team in both categories. He's shooting 72.7 percent from the field and 82.4 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 close out pool play on Sunday at 5:00 pm Central with a game against Australia. Venezuela needs a victory to have any chance of advancing to the quarterfinals and stay in contention for a medal.

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
Aug. 10: Echenique Helps Venezuela To Victory in Olympics

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