Ireland defeated 74-59 by strong Armenia in Los Angeles

Ireland captain Sean Flood notched 18 points, while head coach Michael Bree handed senior debuts to six players during Ireland's 74-59 defeat to a full strength Armenia in Los Angeles on Saturday night. 

Debutant Tiernan Stynes gave an indication of his ability by adding 11 points to Ireland's total on 4-10 shooting from the floor, but Armenia's scoring prowess and experience of naturalised duo Chris Mitchell and Andre Spight proved the difference between the sides, as they led for the majority of the contest. Ireland's attention will now turn to two FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers against North Macedonia and Azerbaijan over the next six days. 

Armenia kicked off the scoring with a three off their first shot of the game, only for Leeroy Odiahi to answer from beyond the arc in Ireland's first attack. Ireland's first six buckets all came from distance, as Sam Alaijiki, Victor Okojie, Sean Flood and Adrian O'Sullivan knocked down shots from deep. Armenia played some lockdown defence, not allowing Ireland to get a score inside the arc for over nine minutes, giving themselves a three-point advantage after the first quarter.

Ireland went into the second quarter down 23-20, but a smooth fadeaway by Tiernan Stynes drew the sides closer. Debutant Ben Stevens brought his strength to the court by setting a brickwall screen to free up flood for a mid-range jumper as Ireland tried to claw back from behind. The Armenian sharp-shooter, Andre Spight, scored a highlight buzzer-beater three at the end of the second quarter to give Armenia a 39-35 lead at the break.

Flood set the Irish tone to start the third quarter, pulling up for a nice fadeaway two over Chris Mitchell. The Armenian full-court press soon caught Ireland off-guard, allowing some easy buckets to take their lead to eight. Mitchell then caught Stevens for a chase-down block to set up a fast-break, only for Odiahi to make a strong rejection himself down the other end. Some tough buckets from Stynes and Flood narrowed the deficit to seven points as they went into the final quarter.

Armenia hit the ground running in the fourth, stealing an Irish possession and transitioning for two points. O'Sullivan's corner three at the midway point of the quarter brought the scores closer, but a handful of missed free-throws soon came back to haunt Ireland. The big man, Yura Melikyan, began to cause Ireland lots of trouble under the basket, defensively and offensively, tilting the scoreboard in Armenia's favour. As the clock ticked on, Ireland fell further behind, ultimately ending 75-59 to Armenia.

Ireland will look to bounce back in their upcoming games with North Macedonia and Azerbaijan in the FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers.