USA Cruises To Opening Round Win In U19 World Championship
The first step into international competition for Butler’s
duo of Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack proved successful. The
two earned a berth in the starting lineup and helped the USA to a
106-55 victory over Iran in the opening game of the FIBA U19 World
Championship in Auckland, New Zealand.
Hayward scored the first basket for the USA in the 16-team
tournament, and a basket by Mack gave the USA its first lead,
6-4. The U.S. squad used a 16-1 scoring run late in the first
quarter to sprint to a 30-13 lead and the margin stretched from
there.
The U.S. led by 28 points at halftime by 42 points after three
quarters. All 12 players on the U.S. roster saw action in the
win, with none playing more than 20 minutes. Seven U.S.
players scored in double-figures, led by Tyshawn Taylor of Kansas
with 13 points.
Hayward played 18 minutes as a starting forward for the U.S.
squad, and he finished with nine points, five rebounds, two steals,
one assist and one blocked shot. He hit three of nine shots
from the floor, including one of four from beyond the three-point
arc, and two of two from the free throw line.
Mack, the team captain, also played 18 minutes as a starting guard
and finished with seven points, two rebounds, three assists and
three steals. He hit three of eight field goal attempts,
including one of four from three-point range.
The U.S. returns to tournament play against France on Friday
(Thursday at 6 p.m. ET in the U.S.) morning.
