SANTA CRUZ (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) — The United States survived some truly suspenseful final 15 minutes that lead to them defeating, 83-75, a Puerto Rican team that came from a 22-point difference in the second half and that never retreated from the last game of the second window of Group C of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers, which took place in Santa Cruz, California.

With this triumph, the United States qualified for the second stage of the windows, which start in September, and continue undefeated in the Qualifiers with 4-0. However, they had to give it their all against Puerto Rico, who came late into the game, but once in, seriously challenged the local side.

United States achieved at one point a 22-point advantage in the third quarter, 64-42, but the Boricuas warmed up during the remaining segment. In the fourth quarter, the Puerto Ricans were able to reduce the difference to one point, 68-67, with a shot by Devon Collier that sparked celebrations from the Puerto Rican fans that attended Kaiser Permanente Arena.

Puerto Rico did not hold back and kept pressing, but the United States — a point over — received a breath of fresh air when point guard Gary Browne failed a three-point shot. Then, the Caribbean team lost the ball and the North American side widened the gap with a jump-shot by Aaron Harrison, 76-71, with 3:10 left on the clock.

The Puerto Ricans remained offensive-less during the rest of the game, and United States secured the triumph that keeps them as Group C leaders, followed by Puerto Rico and Mexico — both with 2-2. Cuba closes the group with 0-4.

“We had a hard second half and that was because Puerto Rico is a good team. We have great respect for their coaches, players and their depth”Jeff Van Gundy (USA)Jeff Van Gundy (USA)

Harrison was the best for the Americans, with 16 points; followed by 14 by Larry Drew II and 12 by Rodney Purvis. Devin Williams contributed 12 rebounds and Drew executed seven assists for their team, who recovered their long-distance shots for 11 three-point shots during the game, after only achieving six against Cuba in the first game of this window, on Friday.

For the Puerto Ricans, Gian Clavell was the outstanding figure, with 23 points and six rebounds. Alongside Browne (11 points and five assists), they had the greatest responsibility in the Boricua comeback — that almost gave them an important triumph. Center Jorge Bryan Díaz added 12 points. Emmanuel Andújar captured seven rebounds.

“Puerto Rico is a great team. They came from behind, we knew that it could happen in some point. They are proud of their country. We thank them from getting the best out of us. We are thankful for the win and to get into the next stage”Larry Drew II (USA)Larry Drew II (USA)

For the third window that will take place in the summer, United States will play as visitors in Mexico (June 28) and in Cuba (July 1st). For their part, Puerto Rico will play as locals against the Cubans on June 28, and against the Mexicans on July 1st. These games will be fundamental, since at stake is the ticket to the second stage of the windows, and the summer’s results will rollover for the next phase, that tips off next November.

United States did not allow the quick start that Puerto Rico executed in their first encounter in November. The US squad showed to be very active in the paint, and with six offensive rebounds in the first quarter, they quickly took the lead, 14-8, with a three-point shot by Harrison.

As a matter of fact, the United States did three 3-pointers and captured six offensive rebounds to win the first quarter, 20-13, against a Puerto Rican side that opted to look for a more grounded approach —that rendered no positive results.

The North American pressure continued in the second quarter. United States did not give many range to Puerto Rico, who continued to depend exclusively on attacking the rim with their point guards but had no success since the United States defense forced them to spread out or look for the shot outside shot — that was nowhere to be found. As for the Americans, the distance throws did arrive, and with eight 3-point throws in the first 20 minutes, United States left for the half time with a comfortable advantage, 47-30.

Puerto Rico tried to get into the game on several occasions in the third quarter but could never attain a progress that could represent a hazard to the other side. With a shot by Díaz, Puerto Rico came closer, 55-42. But the United States kept their cool, and after a three-point shot by David Stockton and four consecutive points by Rashawn Thomas, they once again established a difference, 63-42, with 2:16 left on the clock.

Notwithstanding, Puerto Rico proved to be alive and well thanks to scores by Clavell, Collier and Browne, to reduce the difference, 66-52, at the end of the quarter, in what seemed the setting of a movie’s final scene.

FIBA