July 24, 1999

LISBON, Portugal - Chris Williams of the University of Virginia scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds Saturday (July 24) to help the USA Men's Junior World Championship Team to an 83-62 victory over Croatia in the semifinals of the 1999 FIBA Junior World Championship in Lisbon, Portugal. The USA is now 7-0 in the tournament and advances to the tournament's gold medal game against Spain (6-1) on Sunday. Croatia is now 5-2 in the tournament and plays Argentina (3-4) on Sunday for the bronze medal.

Williams, a 6-6 forward, made six of eight shots from the field, including both of his three-point field goal attempts, and one of two free throw attempts against Croatia. His 15 points tied for the team high in the game. Williams also had two assists, one blocked shot and one turnover in 24 minutes of action.

Virginia's Adam Hall, a 6-5 guard/forward, scored three points and had one rebound in nine minutes of playing time in the game. He made his only field goal attempt and his only free throw attempt. Hall also had one steal.

Michael Wright scored 15 points and had six rebounds for the USA team, Nick Collison scored 13 points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds, and Steve Lepore added 12 points.

The USA shot 50 percent (29-58) from the field, including 45 percent (9-20) from three-point range, and out-rebounded Croatia 46-29. The performance marked the fifth time in seven games the USA shot at least 50 percent from the field and the third consecutive game the Americans made over 40 percent of their three-point field goal attempts. The nine three-point field goals made tied the USA record for the tournament. USA teams in 1995 and 1991 also made nine three-point field goals in a game in the FIBA Junior World Championship.