Mexico upsets USA at Mexico City
MEXICO CITY (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) – Mexico handed USA its first FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers loss with a 78-70 win in a sold-out Coliseo Juan de la Barr
MEXICO CITY (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) – Mexico handed USA its first FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers loss with a 78-70 win in a sold-out Coliseo Juan de la Barrera in Mexico City.
With more than 5,000 fans present, a rejuvenated Mexico escaped to a 21-point lead following a 31-10 first quarter. Led offensively by Orlando Mendez and Francisco Cruz, the Mexicans held their ground with great defense and took a 17-point lead into half-time. A different USA came into the court for the third quarter, and with Marcus Thornton leading the way, Jeff Van Gundy’s team cut the difference with a 23-10 quarter. The home team kept safe distance, and with fantastic minutes in the closing moments of the game, the team coached by Ivan Deniz secured the win.
Both teams already booked their place on the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers, and to close-out the first phase of the continental competition, Mexico will now travel to San Juan to face Puerto Rico on July 1. Meanwhile, USA will travel to Habana to face the Cubans on the same day.
FIBA