July 16, 2003

In a game of a lifetime, Daniel Brown (Illinois) poured in a USA Junior World Championship-record 47 points, including 19 of his team's 21 fourth quarter points, as the USA remained undefeated after fighting back from 14 points down to defeat Lithuania, 87-84, Tuesday in Thessaloniki, Greece. The USA improved to 5-0 in the Junior World Championships while Lithuania fell to 3-2.

"That was a great international basketball game," said USA head coach Ernie Kent. "Lithuania was definitely ready to play. We were lucky to win the game because I don't think we were ready to play and 'Dee' Brown saved us. "I can't say enough about 'Dee' Brown. Anybody that can knock down nine threes and all of them big threes, that tells me a lot about his character and the type of player he is. We called a ton of plays for him down the stretch that gave him an opportunity to make buckets because he was the only one that was really shooting it very well from the perimeter."

Brown was unstoppable, making 18-of-29 shots overall, including 9-of-15 from three-point range. Additionally, the 6'1" guard added four rebounds, six assists and six steals in 37 minutes of action.

Brown's 47 points surpassed Kenny Walker's previous USA high scoring record of 33 points. He also established USA records for most field goals made and attempted, and most three-pointers made and attempted.

But even more impressive was the fact that Brown carried the United States to victory in a crucial game. In the fourth quarter alone, he tallied 19 of the USA's 21 points, sinking 8-of-9 shots, including all five three-pointers.

"Down the stretch my teammates freed me up for some open shots and I was knocking them down and I was kind of in a groove," said Brown. "Give credit to my coach and teammates for allowing me to step up and make shots and for getting me open. That was the main key down the stretch, making shots. To score 47 points against a team like that is something I'll remember always."

The game was deadlocked at 64 all entering the fourth quarter. After Paul Davis (Michigan State) scored the USA's only fourth quarter points not from Brown with 6:56 left, the U.S. held a 71-68 lead. Lithuania's Linas Kleiza, who finished with 28 points and will be playing at the University of Missouri next season, scored eight straight points during a 10-2 offensive run that saw Lithuania surge ahead, 78-74, with 4:50 to go.

Trailing 81-78 with 2:15 remaining, Brown hit his seventh three-pointer of the game to even the score at 81-81. Kleiza missed a three and Brown came away with the rebound. On the other end, he again found the range from three to lift the U.S. ahead, 84-81, with 1:27 left to play; then following another miss by Lithuania, did it again, sinking another three-pointer to push the U.S. advantage to 87-81 with 48 seconds remaining.

Lithuania made it tight when Arturas Jomantas made a three and his only shot in the game with 35.4 seconds left to close the deficit to 87-84. The U.S. turned the ball over, but Lithuania had difficulty getting anyone open and Gediminas Maceina launched a three-pointer that was well off the mark. De'Angelo Alexander (Oklahoma) grabbed the rebound with 2.1 second to play and was immediately fouled. Lithuania however, was not yet in the bonus and when the USA in-bounded the ball to Brown, time expired and the USA had the win.

The USA fell into early foul trouble and struggled with its shooting in the opening quarter, and quickly found itself chasing Lithuania. With the U.S. shooting just 4-of-16 over the first 10 minutes, Lithuania made 10 of its first 16 shots and sprinted away from the USA with a 14-4 run midway through the opening stanza to expand its lead to 22-9.

Holding a 29-17 lead at the end of one, Lithuania pushed out to a 31-17 lead and with 6:25 to go in the quarter, the lead was 36-24. Switching to a zone defense, the U.S. began to find its rhythm. Behind a defense that allowed Lithuania just two field goals for the remaining 6:25, the Americans slowly fought back into the game.

With Brown contributing 13 points while Davis added five, the Americans closed out the rest of the first half with a 19-4 run. Brown connected on a three-pointer with 1:16 left in the half to give the USA its first lead of the game, 43-40. The USA improved its shooting, making 11-of-23 in the second period, and pressured Lithuania with its zone defense into a 4-for-17 performance from the field, while forcing nine turnovers.

Lithuania outscored the United States, 13-4, over the first 4:13 of the third quarter and again moved ahead, 53-47. After the U.S. countered with a 15-2 run, with Brown accounting for eight points and Davis five, the U.S. had its biggest lead of the game, 62-55. Lithuania roared back once more and scored the third quarter's final seven points to deadlock the contest and set the stage for the down-to-the-wire finish.

While Brown carried the bulk of the USA offense, Davis finished with 13 points and Ryan Hollins (UCLA) added 11 points and a team-best nine rebounds. With neither team shooting better than 46 percent for the game, foul shooting may have been the difference. The U.S. made 12-of-13 free throws, setting another U.S. game record for highest percentage with its 92.3 accuracy, while Lithuania made just 15-of-24 charity tries.

Duke's J.J. Redick again missed the game because of an injury.

The win improved the USA to 2-0 in quarterfinals play and leaves it on top of the Group G standings. However, the United States needs a victory in Wednesday's final quarterfinals game against Australia (4-1) to ensure it advances to the medal round semifinals. Australia recorded a narrow 83-82 victory over Puerto Rico (2-3) in quarterfinals action on Tuesday.