Coach Dixon’s USA U-19 team will play for the Gold late tonight/early this morning.  USA knocked off Croatia, 81-77 (PDF Box Score).

According to the story, the US team jumped all over Croatia in the second quarter to go up 46-33 by the half. In the third quarter the Croats came back big with a 26-11 scoring edge to take a two point lead. The USA team, though, did not wilt, retook the lead and made their free throws in the end.

American Gordon Hayward, who top scored with 15 points, went to the free-throw line twice in the last minute for four crucial points while Ashton Gibbs made two from two to seal the four-point advantage.

“They just stormed back on us and got in front but coach Dixon was great,” Hayward said. “He helped keep us calm and focused and didn’t let us get too unsettled by what they were doing.

“We knew it was loser go home and so we toughed it out. Now it’s Greece and the gold medal. We beat them earlier in the tournament but we realize we have to be better than that to win tomorrow.”

The game was won for the US at the free throw line. The Croatian team sent USA to the line 23 times, and the USA team made 18. Including those late clutch free throws.

Ashton Gibbs finished with 11 points (a perfect 4-4 on FTs, 1-3 on 3FGs and 2-4 from inside the line). He had 2 assists, a rebound and 0 turnovers. His 11 points was second most on the team.

Now the USA team gets a rematch with Greece. The Greeks stunned previously unbeaten Australia, 84-69.

The USA team had previously beaten Greece 85-69 at the start of the second round.

UPDATE: Here’s a link to the video highlights of the USA-Croatia game including a Gibbs 3 and him making the final free throw to keep the game a two possession game in the final 15 seconds.

You can watch the game live and online if you are up at 2:30 am (EST) and want to spring for the $8 (or maybe $5).