Oklahoma State University Athletics
USA U19 Crushes China, 113-57
June 28, 2013 | Cowboy Basketball
June 28, 2013
PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Oklahoma State sophomore Marcus Smart and the USA U19 men's basketball team crushed the People's Republic of China 113-57 here Friday night in the second round of pool play at the FIBA U19 World Championships. Smart was one of six Americans to score in double figures with 11 points.
Five seconds into the contest, Smart scored the first basket of the game for the United States for the second-straight contest. It was a back-and-forth battle through the first eight minutes, but with just 1-1/2 minutes remaining in the first quarter and the U.S. leading 18-17, the Americans went on an 11-0 run to end the period and take a 29-17 lead.
The USA squad dominated the boards, outrebounding China 50-14, including a 30-3 edge in offensive rebounds. The Chinese also committed 32 turnovers, thanks in part to an aggressive defense and 23 steals by the Americans. Smart finished with five thefts and has recorded 10 steals through the first two games of the tournament. As a result of the defense and rebounding, the United States took 40 more shots than did China, and scored 53 points either off turnovers or second chances.
Headed into Saturday's final round of pool play, the Americans are one of five undefeated teams. Spain and Croatia are both 2-0 in Group A and will face each other on Saturday at 1:15 pm local time. Lithuania is 2-0 in Group B, while Serbia is 2-0 in Group C.
Smart and the USA U19 squad will face Russia on Saturday at 8:15 pm local time (1:15 pm CT) in the O2 Arena. Russia lost to China 61-59 on Thursday, and defeated the Ivory Coast 78-43 Friday afternoon.
FIBA U19 World Championship Standings (day 2)
Group A
Spain (2-0)
Croatia (2-0)
Canada (0-2)
South Korea (0-2)
Group B
Lithuania (2-0)
Iran (1-1)
Argentina (1-1)
Czech Republic (0-2)
Group C
Serbia (2-0)
Australia (1-1)
Brazil (1-1)
Senegal (0-2)
Group D
USA (2-0)
China (1-1)
Russia (1-1)
Ivory Coast (0-2)
