USA Basketball U21 Squad Beats Lithuania, Remains Unbeaten In Exhibitions
7/30/2005 7:59:23 AM | Men's Basketball
FRISCO, Texas -- The USA Basketball Under-21 team, which includes SU junior forward Terrence Roberts, came from behind to defeat Lithuania Friday, 91-86, in the 2005 Global Games. The Games are an exhibition tuneup for the 2005 FIBA U21 World Championships scheduled for Argentina August 5-14. Team USA closes out its Global Games schedule against Team Texas on Saturday, July 30, at 8:00 p.m. C.D.T.
Roberts had six points, two rebounds and three steals in 17 minutes for the Americans.
In a game that went down to the wire, the U.S. trailed 73-68 with 5:24 to go in the contest. Justin Gray then proceeded to make a trio of treys on the USA's next three possessions, while also swishing a pair from the charity stripe at the 3:27 mark. Lithuania's Arturas Jomantas, who plays professionally in Europe, was sent to the line on three consecutive possessions (5-6 FTs) during that time and after Justin Gray's second free throw the United States was up 79-78.
The game remained a close affair and with 1:39 to play J.J. Redick (Duke / Roanoke, Va.) evened the score at 84-apiece with a pair of shots from the line. But Lithuania went back up after a 10-foot jumper by Darius Silinskis went in with 44 ticks remaining. The U.S. took a time out to regroup after the Silinskis basket and 14 seconds after inbounding the ball Justin Gray stepped back for his sixth 3-pointer of the game to put the young Americans back on top, 87-86.
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| Go Team! The USA bench, including SU's Terrence Roberts (19), reacts to Justin Gray's 3-pointer with 30.7 seconds to go in the game. (Photo: Glen James) |
On Lithuania's ensuing possession Jomantas couldn't get away from Curtis Withers' (Charlotte / Charlotte, N.C.) pressure defense and finally was whistled for a traveling violation with 14.6 remaining in the game. This time it was Lithuania's turn to take a time out to discuss strategy and before Redick could get the ball in, Renaldas Seibutis fouled Justin Gray, who made the first of two from the stripe (88-86).
Withers was positioned for Justin Gray's rebound, however, Vaidotas Pridotkas was whistled for an infraction after backing him to the baseline on the carom. The Charlotte forward went to the line and gave the U.S. a 90-86 cushion.
On the other end Marius Prekevicius' 3-point attempt failed, Withers was there for the rebound and was immediately fouled. With 1.2 seconds to go, Withers sunk his second for the final points of the game.
Lithuania opened tonight's game on fire, going up 7-0 in 1:13 of play, while the United States was unable to convert on its first four possessions. Allan Ray (Villanova / Bronx, N.Y.) finally ended the scoring drought at 7:48 with a three, but Lithuania's defensive pressure rattled the USA's game and by the 3:51 mark the U.S. trailed 15-5. At the end of the first period the United States found itself down 26-13 and with 7:16 to play in the half it was a 15-point deficit, 35-20.
Hitting his first three of the game from well beyond the NBA 3-point line at 6:12, Justin Gray sparked a 15-0 U.S. run that was capped by a traditional 3-point play by Williams, evening the score at 35 apiece at 2:44. Both teams swapped baskets for the remainder of the half and the Americans headed to their locker room with a 43-42 edge.
The third quarter remained tight and at the end of 30 minutes of play the USA had inched ahead 63-59. By the 6:00 mark Lithuania had retaken control, 71-68, and at 5:24 Steponas Babrauskas made it 73-68 after hitting both his tries from the line.
In addition to Justin Gray's 25 points on 7-of-13 from the field, including 6-of-9 from 3-point; Withers finished with 14 points; Redick had 11 and Ray chipped in 10 points.
USA Basketball contributed to this story. For more information, link to www.usabasketball.com.
