PARIS (Aug. 2, 2024)—Las Vegas Aces guard Tiffany Hayes and the Azerbaijan 3×3 Olympic Team (2-4) split their 2 games on Friday. Azerbaijan came from behind for a 21-19 overtime win over China (2-4) after being outmatched by Australia (4-2) 21-12 earlier in the day. Hayes was her team’s leading scorer and rebounder in each game, averaging 8.5 points and 5.0 rebounds.
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Azerbaijan found itself trailing China most of the contest and was behind by 6 points, 17-11, with 2:30 on the clock. But Azerbaijan didn’t let up and closed to 19-17 with 25 seconds remaining. A 2-point buzzer-beater by Hayes sent the game into overtime. Nine seconds into the extra time, Alexandra Mollenhauer hit a 2-pointer to give the Azerbaijanis their second victory of the Games. Hayes finished with game-highs of 11 points and 5 rebounds.
In the first game of the day, Australia quickly went up 7-1. Azerbaijan couldn’t recover, and the game ended at the 8:00 mark when Australia scored at the line to make it 21-12. Hayes led her side with 6 points and 5 rebounds.
Azerbaijan caps preliminary play against Canada (3-2) on Aug. 3 at 8:30 am PT. The game will be streamed on Peacock.
3×3 is played on a half court with a 10-minute game clock and 12-second shot clock. Play is continuous, as teams clear the ball behind the 2-point line following a made basket, defensive rebound or steal. The first team to score 21 points via 1-point field goals, 2-pointers behind the arc or free throws is victorious; or if time expires then the team leading wins. If the game is tied at the end of regulation play, the first team to score 2 points in overtime is the winner.