USA Defeats France At U19 World Championship
Butler’s Gordon Hayward scored 11 points and grabbed five
rebounds to help lead the USA to a 71-55 victory over France on the
second day of the FIBA U19 World Championship in Auckland, New
Zealand. The victory assured that the U.S. would advance to
the second round of the 16-team tournament.
Hayward hit three of six shots, including two of five from beyond
the three-point arc, and three of four from the free throw line in
20 minutes of action. Butler teammate Shelvin Mack played 15
minutes in the win and finished with three assists and one steal,
but did not score.
The U.S. jumped to a 9-0 lead in the game and led, 35-20, at
halftime. France shot just 32% for the game, while falling
for the first time in the tournament.
Seth Curry led a balanced U.S. attack with 12 points, while Ashton
Gibbs added 10. Arnett Moultrie had a team-high eight rebound
for the winners, who out-rebounded France, 39-34.
The U.S. will wrap up pool play on Saturday, July 4, (Friday at 7
p.m. ET in the U.S.) against Egypt. Second round play begins
on Monday, July 6.
