The toughest game to date. Lithuania was in do-or-die with regards to a chance to get into the medal contention. The USA team prevailed 76-69 in a different kind of game for them.
The USA was outrebounded by 11, and shot poorer from the field than Lithuania. The 3-point shooting struggled with a sub-par 7-22 (31%), but it was better than the Lithuanians that could only manage 3-13.
What did it for the US team? Not turning the ball over. Only 8 turnovers compared to a whopping 23 from Lithuania. The USA squad had 13 steals.
This one was taut and tight throughout. Tied at the half, and the only game so far where the USA squad actually trailed in the second half.
Lithuania outscored the U.S. 10-5 over the first five minutes of the third and led 46-41. But Terrico White (Georgia / Lithonia, Ga.) nailed a much needed three, and John Shurna (Northwestern / Glen Ellyn, Ill.) then added a 3-pointer and a turn-around jumper that put the Americans back up 49-46. Lithuania regained the lead 50-49 and the USA five closed out the third stanza with six straight points from three different players to carry a 55-50 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Darius Miller (Kentucky / Lexington, Ky.) provided the U.S. with a much need spark early in the fourth quarter. With the USA clinging to a 59-56 lead and 9:18 left, Miller pumped in six straight points and blocked a shot at the other end as the U.S. moved out to a 65-56 lead with 6:26 to be played.
Lithuania refused to fold and over the next 3:20 outgunned the U.S. 11-2 to tie the game 67-67 with 3:06 left in the game.
Klay Thompson (Washington State / Ladera Ranch, Calif.) came up with a loose ball in a scramble and scored to break the tie and put the U.S. ahead for good 69-67.
Next it was Taylor’s turn to take charge. The Kansas guard hit a jumper just inside the 3-point line and on the following possession scored on a hook off a drive that put the USA up 73-67 with 1:40 remaining.
The desperate Lithuanians cut the gap to 73-69, but from the there the USA made the stops and secured the rebounds to walk away with the win.
Ashton Gibbs started for the USA team and finished with 8 points, but it was not a good performance by the numbers. Only 2-9 from the field and only 1 assist.
Still a win and the US goes to the quarters as the #1 seed from Group E. They take on #4 from Group F — Canada — Thursday morning/Friday night. The Canadians ended up edging out Spain for the 4th seed. The #1 seed in Group F is Australia.
If the US wins against Canada, their next game will be against the winner of Croatia (#2 Group F)/Puerto Rico (#3 Group E). I’m guessing it will be the Croats.
