Shelden Williams (Oklahoma City, Okla./Duke) led five players in double figures with 16 points as the United States men’s basketball team started slowly and then roared from behind to score an 87-51 win over the Czech Republic at the Summer World University Games.
With the win, the USA improved to 5-0 at the Games and will now play Lithuania in the quarterfinal round on Thursday, Aug. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ataturk Sports Salon.
Williams was backed up in double figures by Randy Foye (Newark, N.J./Villanova) who scored 15 points, Vincent Grier (Charlotte, N.C./Minnesota) and Matt Haryasz (Page, Ariz./Stanford) each added 14, while Gerry McNamara (Scranton, Pa./Syracuse) scored 10.
The Czech Republic, 2-2, was led by center Ales Chan with 16 points. Behind nine early points by Chan, the Czech’s opened the game with a 17-9 run.
After a timeout, USA’s halfcourt trapping defense started to play havoc with the Czech’s, as the Americans ended the first quarter and started the second on an 18-0 run. The USA led 27-19 after a basket by Craig Smith (Los Angeles, Calif./Boston College) with 6:26 to play in the second quarter.
“They started the game much more aggressive than us, they came out hard and hit some tough shots,” said USA head coach Jay Wright (Villanova). “I wanted our guys to settle down and know that it was a long game, we had a lot of work to do yet. We have experienced guys who know how to handle those situations.”
Forcing 17 Czech turnovers, the USA led 48-27 at halftime as Grier led the way with 12 points, while Foye and Williams added 10 apiece. The USA ended the half on a 37-10 run.
“We know teams are going to come out hard against us, we just have to keep playing hard and maintain our focus,” said Grier, who connected on five of his seven field goal attempts. “I don’t worry about the points, however they come, they come. I just concentrate on playing great defense and try to bring energy to the team.”
Williams had six points in the third quarter as the USA maintained its advantage, leading 71-39 at the end of the period.
“We knew they were going to be a tough team who was big and aggressive,” said Williams, who connected on eight of nine field goals in the game, and is now 35 of 48 from the field in the five games the team has played. “We have a toughness about us where if something happens to us, we respond together.”
The USA led by as many as 40 points, 85-45 after a basket by Eric Hicks (Greensboro, N.C./Cincinnati) with 3:10 to play.
The Americans have now won 52 of the last 53 times it has played at the World University Games and appear ready as play nears the medal rounds.
“We are going to take it one game at a time, we are just trying to get better with each game,” Wright said. “Every game you play from here on out will be tough, no matter who we play.”
