July 14, 2003

The United States (3-0) wrapped up first-round play at the 2003 FIBA Junior World Championship for Men with a physical 88-69 win over Nigeria (1-2) on Saturday afternoon in Thessaloniki, Greece. De'Angelo Alexander (Oklahoma) led the U.S. with 13 points. By virtue of its unblemished 3-0 record, the U.S. finished first in Group C and advanced on to the July 14-16 medal round quarterfinals.

"It was a scrappy game," said U.S. head coach Ernie Kent. "We had different players step up again tonight and that's been a real positive for this team because we have had guys who have been off their games on certain nights and other guys have filled right in. That's a good indication of the team we put together and the depth that we have on this team."

In a physical match right from the opening tip, the two teams were whistled for 58 fouls and combined to shoot 78 free throws.

Paul Davis (Michigan State) and Daniel Brown (Illinois) each scored four points as the USA sprinted out to a 10-1 lead to open the contest, and while the American's defense limited Nigeria to 3-14 (21.4 percent) shooting for the quarter, the U.S. was 8-18 (44.4 percent) from the field and led 21-13 after one.

Nigeria closed to within two twice, the last time coming with 5:55 to go in the second stanza when it cut the lead to 25-23. A 7-0 U.S. run, that was capped by an Alexander three-pointer, provided the U.S. with some breathing room as the lead was pushed to 32-23. C.J. Watson (Tennessee) found the mark from beyond the three-point arc with 11 seconds to go in the first half and the U.S. retired to the locker room leading 44-32.

While Nigeria's shooting from the field warmed some in the second quarter to 41.1 percent (7-17), free throw shooting in the first 20 minutes hurt the squad as the African champions made just 9-of-20 tries (45.0 percent), while the USA converted on 14-of-15 charity attempts (93.3 percent).

Nigeria opened the third quarter by scoring the first five points to reduce the U.S. advantage to seven, 44-37. But Brown dropped a three to reverse the momentum and with 2:02 left in the quarter, the U.S. was in command, 67-48. Nigeria hung around and nibbled at the lead, and at the end of three the U.S. was up, 71-58.

Stepping up its defensive intensity, the USA opened the final period with a 10-0 run to secure the game. In fact, Nigeria did not score its first points of the quarter until 4:07 was left and by that time the USA led 81-61.

In a show of offensive balance, nine players finished with between six and 13 points. Helping Alexander fuel the USA offense was Watson, who finished with 12 points, 10 coming in the first half. Maurice Ager (Michigan State) added 10 points. Davis grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and got help on the boards from David Burgess (Woodbridge High School/Irvine, Calif.), who added seven boards as the USA held a 54-48 advantage on the glass.

The U.S. shot 41.3 percent (26-63) from the field and sank 28-of-37 free throw attempts. Nigeria was limited to 31.9 percent (23-72) shooting from the field, and finished shooting just 43.0 from the foul line, sinking only 18-of-41 attempts.

In Saturday's other action, Lithuania (2-1) ripped Venezuela (1-2), 108-60, in a game that determined a second-place finish and which team would stay alive in the medal hunt. Slovenia (2-1) secured the Group C runner-up finish and advanced to the medal quarterfinals after holding off China (0-3), 87-88. Puerto Rico (2-1) likewise earned a second-place finish in Group B after handling Angola (1-2), 85-71. Australia (3-0) claimed first place in Group A after whipping South Korea (0-3), 124-95, while Croatia also finished a perfect 3-0 to claim first place in Group D after running all over Malaysia, (0-3) 110-65. The late games to be completed Saturday night featured host Greece (2-0) facing winless Iran (0-2), and Argentina (1-1) playing Turkey (1-1) for a chance to advance to the medal quarterfinals.

"I think for us we just have to really focus on stepping up our level of intensity and intelligence," Kent said about the upcoming medal-round quarterfinals play. "Now you play a very good ball club every night. Every game is a critical game."

The USA, which defeated China on Friday, opens quarterfinals pool play on Monday against Puerto Rico. The USA will face Lithuania on Tuesday and will close out the quarterfinals against Australia.

2003 FIBA Men's Junior World Championship Schedule/Results

GROUP  A       W    L


Australia      3    0
Turkey         2    1
Argentina      1    2
South Korea    0    3

GROUP  B       W    L

Greece         2    0
Puerto Rico    2    1
Angola         1    2
Iran           0    2

GROUP C         W    L

USA             3    0
Slovenia        2    1
Nigeria         1    2
China           0    3

GROUP D         W    L

Croatia         3    0
Lithuania       2    1
Venezuela       1    2
Malaysia        0    3


Preliminary Round

Thursday, July 10


Group A                                        Group B
Argentina 87, South Korea 67                   Angola 74, Iran 50
Australia 80, Turkey 74                        Greece 103, Puerto Rico 83


Group C                                        Group D
Nigeria 92, China 69                           Croatia 73, Lithuania 69
USA 84, Slovenia 83                            Venezuela 88, Malaysia 60



Friday, July 11


Group A                                        Group B
Turkey 81, South Korea 80                      Puerto Rico 92, Iran 66
Australia 75, Argentina 57                     Greece 87, Angola 65


Group C                                        Group D
Slovenia 102, Nigeria 65                       Croatia 75, Venezuela 74
USA 109, China 84                              Lithuania 107, Malaysia 39



Saturday, July 12


Group A                                        Group B
Australia 124, South Korea 95                  Puerto Rico 85, Angola 71
9:15 p.m.  Turkey  Argentina                   9:15 p.m.  Greece  Iran


Group C                                        Group D
Slovenia 87, China 78                          Lithuania 108, Venez. 60
USA 88, Nigeria 69                             Croatia 110,  Malaysia 65


Quarterfinals


(The first and second placed teams from each preliminary round group qualify for the quarterfinals medal round to play for first through eighth place, the third and fourth placed teams from each preliminary round group qualify for the quarterfinals round to play for ninth through 16th place.  Note:  The order of the games is subject to change.)


Group E (@ Aris)                           Group F (in Aris)
Australia ( A1)                            TBD (Turkey/Argentina) (A2)
Puerto Rico (B2)                           Greece (B1)
USA (C1)                                   Slovenia (C2)
Lithuania (D2)                             Croatia (D1)


Group G (@ Evosmos)                        Group H(@ Evosmos)
TBD (Argentina/Turkey) (A3)                South Korea (A4)
Iran (B4)                                  Angola (B3)
Nigeria (C3)                               China (C4)
Malaysia (D4)                              Venezuela (D3)



Monday, July 14


Group E                 Group F
A1 - D2                 A2 - D1
C1 - B2                 C2 - B1


Group G                 Group H
A3 - D4                 A4 - D3
C3 - B4                 C4 - B3


Tuesday, July 15


Group E                 Group F
B2 - A1                 B1 - A2
D2 - C1                 D1 - C2


Group G                 Group H
B4 - A3                 B3 - A4
D4 - C3                 D3 - C4


Wednesday, July 16


Group E                 Group F
B2 - D2                 A2 - C2
A1 - C1                 B1 - D1


Group G                 Group H
B4 - D4                 A4 - C4
A3 - C3                 B3 - D3



Classification Semifinals


Friday, July 18


Game 49:  G3 - H4
Game 50:  G4 - H3
Game 51:  G1 - H2
Game 52:  G2 - H1



Medal Semifinals


Saturday, July 19


Game 55:  E3 - F4
Game 56:  E4 - F3
Game 57:  E2 - F1
Game 58:  E1 - F2



Classification Finals


Saturday, July 19


15th/16th:  Loser Game 49 - Loser Game 50
13th/14th:  Winner Game 49 - Winner Game 50



Finals


Sunday, July 20

11th/12th:   Loser Game 51 - Loser Game 52
9th/10th:  Winner Game 51 - Winner Game 52
7th/8th:  Loser Game 55 - Loser Game 56
5th/6th:  Winner Game 55 - Winner Game 56
Bronze Medal:  Loser Game 57 - Loser Game 58
Gold Medal:  Winner Game 57 - Winner Game 58


(NOTE:  Greece is 7 hours ahead of EDT)