When Team USA and South Sudan tipped off from O2 arena in London on Saturday afternoon, the Stars and Stripes were favored by 42.5 points.

However, the Americans survived thanks to a game-winner from Lebron James with just eight seconds on the clock to claim a 101-100 victory in their second-to-last exhibition game prior to the Olympics.

At halftime, the US trailed by a shocking 14 points after South Sudan caught fire from beyond the arc in the first half.

On the contrary, the Americans shot just 1-13 from three in the first half.

Right when the third quarter started, the Stars and Stripes came out like the team we know that they are and cut the South Sudan lead.

In the fourth quarter, the game would swing back in forth with South Sudan forward J.T Thor knocking down a massive three-pointer for the lead with 20 seconds to go.

On their final possession, Lebron James drove to the rack for a tough finish in contact which ended up being the game-winner to help the Americans avoid possibly their biggest upset loss in the history of USA Basketball.

For Team USA, a win is a win but head coach Steve Kerr didn’t see it as such.

“I did not do a great job preparing our team,” Kerr said. “I think we did not focus enough on what they’re capable of and that’s on me.”

Steph Curry who struggled from the field in the game echoed that sentiment while also pulling some positives out.

“We can be beat if we don’t play our brand of basketball, and our brand of basketball is playing defense,” said Curry. “But we also learned we have that gear if we can find it, no matter who’s out there on the court, we can overwhelm teams for 40 minutes and it’s a great reminder of both.”

The South Sudan squad that scared the US isn’t filled with top NBA talent by any means.

Marial Shayok who plays pro ball in Canada led the way with 25 points for South Sudan while Carlik Jones who has played just 12 NBA games had a triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds.

It won’t be long before the Americans face off with South Sudan again as the two nations will be rivals in group c at the Olympics.