AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Facing a Lithuanian team that was fighting for its medal-round life, the USA Men’s U19 Team rallied for a 76-69 win in FIBA U19 World Championship play Wednesday night in Auckland, New Zealand.

With its win, the undefeated USA team advances to the medal-round quarterfinals as the Group E No. 1 seed. It will face Group F No. 4 seed Canada on Friday, July 10 at 8:30 p.m. local time (EDT +16 hours). Canada advanced to the medal round quarterfinals after its surprising 67-57 win over Argentina Wednesday afternoon.

“I’d probably prefer a game not so close,” admitted USA head coach Jamie Dixon. “But down the stretch we got it done and that was nice to see. John Shurna, Tyshawn (Taylor) and Darius (Miller) all made some big plays and that’s what you need. We’ve said all along that it was going to be different
players making key contributions on different nights.”

Despite a quiet night offensively (5 points on 1-of-6 shooting) Georgia sophomore Howard Thompkins remains the Americans’ leading scorer (11.5 ppg) and second-leading rebounder (5.0 rpg).

With the USA making just one of their first six shots, Lithuania jumped ahead in the game, 13-7. Five straight points from Butler standout Shelvin Mack, however, got the U.S. rolling offensively, and after posting an 11-3 scoring run, the USA led 18-14.

Taking an 18-16 lead into the second stanza, the U.S., following a dunk from Gordon Hayward (Butler / Brownsburg, Ind.), went up 26-20. However, behind six consecutive points from Donatas Motiejunas Lithuania quickly cut the advantage down and the two sides traded baskets and at halftime the game was knotted at 36 all.

Lithuania outscored the U.S. 10-5 over the first five minutes of the third to take a 46-41 lead. But Ole Miss guard Terrico White nailed a much needed three, and John Shurna then added five straight points to put the Americans back up 49-46. Lithuania regained the lead 50-49 and the USA closed out the
third stanza with six straight points from three different players to carry a 55-50 advantage into the fourth quarter.

Darius Miller (Kentucky / Lexington, Ky.) provided the U.S. with a much need spark early in the fourth quarter. With the USA clinging to a 59-56 lead and 9:18 left, Miller pumped in six straight points while making a momentum shifting steal and blocking a shot as the U.S. moved out to a 65-56 lead with 6:26 to be played.

Other medal-round quarterfinal matchups include Greece vs. Argentina at 1:30 p.m.; France vs. Group F No. 1 seed and undefeated Australia at 4 p.m., and Puerto Rico takes vs. Croatia at 6:15 p.m. In the consolation
quarterfinals, Lithuania will play Kazakhstan, and Egypt will face Spain.

- Georgia Sports Communications