Minnesota guard Tyus Jones led all scorers with 22 points along with six assists as the U.S. U17 team advanced to the semifinals of the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship with a 113-59 rout of Canada in Lithuania on Friday.
Texas forward Justise Winslow added 17 points and 13 rebounds, Florida guard Joel Berry had 15 points and Chicago natives Jabari Parker and Jahlil Okafor scored 10 apiece.
The U.S. will face Spain (4-2) in the July 7 medal semifinals at 6:10 p.m. (11:10 a.m. EDT), while Australia (5-1), which defeated Argentina (3-3) 78-59, will square off in the other medal semifinal against the winners of tonight’s quarterfinals contest between Croatia (6-0) and Czech Republic (2-3). The entire medal round is available live online via FIBATV.com.
“I give Canada a lot of credit,” said Don Showalter, USA and Iowa City High School head coach. “They came out very strong in the first half. They really powered the boards in the first half. Of their 30 points, they had 24 in the paint. We had to shore some things up in the second half. We respect all of our opponents a great deal, so we felt that at halftime we had to come out right away and establish our game. Fortunately we did that.”
“Shots were just falling for me,” said Jones. “I was putting the ball in the hole. It was just one of those nights for me. I take what the defense gives me. Setting up my teammates, just running the team is what I do. But I’ll take what the defense gives me and they were giving me shots tonight.”
Photo Release: USA Basketball
