By JOSH NEWMAN
Facing its stiffest test of the FIBA Under-19 World Championship against Greece on Saturday, the United States overcame not only the opponent, but a hostile road atmosphere for an 82-76 semifinal win and a spot in Sunday’s gold medal game.
Villanova freshman Jalen Brunson was outstanding for the Americans, finishing with a game-high 30 points on 9-for-13 shooting from the field and 10-for-12 from the foul line. He led four players in double figures as 2016 star forward Harry Giles had 13, while Terrance Ferguson and Josh Jackson each had 11.
The United States, the reigning world champion at the U-18 and U-19 levels, will play Croatia for the gold medal on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU. The Americans registered a 103-81 in group play on Sunday over Croatia, which is playing this tournament without projected top-5 2016 draft pick Dragan Bender. The 7-foot-1, 17-year-old professional is sitting out due to a sneaker dispute.
The United States led by as many as 10 late in the second quarter, but Greece hung tough throughout, thanks in large part to its 3-point shooting. Greece finished 10-for-25 from deep to hang around, but its undoing was the foul line, where it shot 18-for-32.
Oregon freshman Tyler Dorsey, whose mother is Greek, which enabled him to play for Greece in the event, finished with a team-high 23 points and six rebounds.
Photo: USA Today Sports
