Oklahoma State University Athletics
Smart Leads United States to Victory
July 05, 2013 | Cowboy Basketball
July 5, 2013
PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Oklahoma State sophomore Marcus Smart and the USA Basketball Men's U19 team defeated Canada 109-67 here Friday night in the semifinals of the FIBA U19 World Championships. Smart led all scorers with 14 points.
Seven different Americans reached double figures, including Smart's game-high 14. The Cowboy sophomore scored six points in a 2-1/2 minute period during the third quarter, including a basket at the 2:55 mark that gave the United States a 31-point lead. He also recorded three steals, one rebound and an assist. Smart's 19 steals lead the tournament are tied for the fifth-most by an American in the World Championships, matching Daniel Brown's 19 in 2003.
The United States took its first lead of the game at 11-9 three minutes into the contest. Canada trailed by just five at 27-22 with 1:20 remaining in the first period, and again at 33-28 at the 6:08 mark of the second quarter. However, the Americans took a double-digit lead at 43-33 three minutes before intermission, and it ballooned from there, expanding to 43 points with three minutes left in the game.
The United States (7-0) will play Lithuania (6-1) in the second semifinal matchup on Saturday at 1:15 pm CT. The game can be seen on the internet at ESPN3/WatchESPN. Australia (4-3) will face Serbia (6-1) in the other semifinal game at 11 am CT.
FIBA U19 World Championship Championship Schedule
Friday, July 5 (Quarterfinals)
Lithuania 89, China 58
Australia 87, Spain 76
Serbia 73, Croatia 66
United States 109, Canada 67
Saturday, July 6 (Semifinals)
Australia (4-3) vs Serbia (6-1) • 11 am CT
United States (7-0) vs Lithuania (6-1) • 1:15 pm CT
Sunday, July 7 (Finals)
Australia/Serbia winner vs United States/Lithuania winner
