USA Under-21 Squad Outscores Lithuania, 103-83
8/6/2005 8:15:19 PM | Men's Basketball
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina -- The 2005 USA U21 World Championship Team (2-0) remained undefeated at the 2005 FIBA U21 World Championship with a hard-earned 103-83 victory over Lithuania (1-1) on Saturday evening in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Leading a balanced attack that saw every member score were Rajon Rondo (Kentucky / Louisville, Ky.) and Marcus Williams(Connecticut / Los Angeles, Calif.), who posted 17 points apiece.
Terrence Roberts (Syracuse / Jersey City, N.J.) had two points, two rebounds and a steal for Team USA.
Next up for the United States is Puerto Rico (1-1), which put away Slovenia (1-1) 71-50 this evening. The squads will tip-off Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. (all times EDT).
"We expected it to be a very hard game to play," said USA and Saint Joseph's (Pa.) head coach Phil Martelli. "I have tremendous respect for the way that Lithuania was coached and the way that they approach each and every opportunity that they're given. They're highly competitive young guys who are well instructed in the game of basketball. We felt it would be hard-fought since we played them in Dallas."
Despite going up by double digits several times throughout the contest, the United States was unable to shake Lithuania until the game's final minutes.
The U.S. owned a 14-point, 75-61, lead entering the fourth quarter, but Lithuania struck early with a 3-pointer at 9:43 from Arturas Jomantas. Mardy Collins (Temple / Philadelphia, Pa.) countered with a three on the other end, but Lithuania temporarily disrupted the USA's offense and fought back with a 7-point run to close the gap to 78-71 with 8:20 to go in the game. By the 7:44 mark the gap was narrowed to seven, 80-73, following a Steponas Babrauskas basket.
That was as close as the Europeans would get.
"We pushed the lead and started to press, but they started to throw over the top of us and get easy baskets," said Collins. "So coach wanted us to stop and get back. He said that we had a good advantage in our depth, so if they throw it over the top we need to sprint all-out. Not to worry if we get tired, we'll get a substitution."
Justin Gray (Wake Forest / Charlotte, N.C.) hit his fourth trey of the game, sparking a 9-2 U.S. run and midway through the fourth quarter the United States had re-upped its advantage to 14 points, 89-75. Following a pair of free throws by Lithuania,Taj Gray (Oklahoma / Wichita, Kan.) took the ball inside and slammed it home with authority at 4:47. That dunk spurred the USA's offense to a 12-2 run, bookened by another Taj Gray highlight dunk, and at 2:16 the game was safely in hand 101-79. In addition to Taj Gray's four points, Williams provided five points and a steal, while Collins also contributed a 3-pointer in the run. The clock wound down and by the end the USA had secured its second victory in as many days.
"We got a little lax," said Rondo. "They threw somewhat of a different look at us and we weren't ready for it. We settled down, made the right decisions and got the lead back up."
(photo and story courtesy of USA Basketball - www.usabasketball.com)
