South Sudan coach Ivey: Disparity in free throws vs. Serbia was 'travesty'

South Sudan head coach Royal Ivey said that referees showed bias in favor of Serbia as the Bright Stars lost 96-85 and were eliminated from their first-ever Olympic competition.

"They shot 31 free throws, we shot six free throws?" Ivey said, according to Kyle Hightower of The Associated Press. "Let's tell the story. Let's tell the real story, because that's a travesty. How do they shoot 31 free throws and we shoot six free throws? How?

"My guys were out there giving their all, blood, sweat, and tears, and you tell me how we shot six free throws? We shot one free throw in the second half."

Serbia shot 18 free throws in the first half and 13 in the second. Despite the difference in free throw attempts, South Sudan beat Serbia in attempted field goals 78-53.

The Bright Stars needed to win or lose by less than three points to advance to their nation's first-ever Olympic quarterfinals.

Luol Deng, the president of the country's basketball federation, said that the disparity in free throws was "deliberate."

"I know Serbia is known for basketball, they've been great for many years," Deng said. "The way, the style the guards play, it's almost like the ref knows them. It's okay if the refs know certain players to let them play their style. As soon as our guys play their style, they're getting fouls every time."

South Sudan went 1-2 in group play, with its lone win coming in its opening matchup against Puerto Rico. Team USA beat the Bright Stars by 17 points in the next game, enacting some measure of revenge after South Sudan almost defeated the Americans in an exhibition leading up to the Paris Games.

With the victory, Serbia qualified for the quarterfinals and will face Australia on Tuesday.