Panama City (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - In the end it was what you expected, a 30-point win by the USA and its cadre of NBA players over a game but over-matched Panama. But the 78-48 game two of the FIBA Americas second phase of Basketball World Cup Qualifying was far from a rout for most of the contest.

It took three quarters for the USA to find its groove but when they did, the difference between the two teams became clear. The Americans never looked better than they did during a 16-2 run in the first 3:30 of the last stanza that pushed their lead to a 33-point margin, taking all the air out of the Arena Roberto Durán.

The USA improves to 7-1 with two wins including a 114-57 rout of Uruguay on September 14 while Panama lost both games – 82-73 to Puerto Rico on Sept. 14 - in this window to fall to 3-5.

 Both teams shot poorly to start the game, Panama hitting only one of its first ten shots, and the USA only slightly better hitting 3 of their initial 13 attempts. The first quarter ended 18-7.

The second quarter was almost a draw and could have been better for the home team.

The Americans pushed the margin to 15 points after Dwayne Bacon scored the first 5 of his 10 points for the game. A 6-0 run, including a very crowd-pleasing ally-oop from Trevor Gaskins to Javier Carter, cut the lead to 8 but the USA closed out the final 5 points of the half to lead by 13 at the break.

Dakari Johnson was an inside force for the USA against Panama.

The inside presence of Dakari Johnson and Jameel Warney with low post scoring and offensive rebounding began to wear down the Panamanian interior. An early 8-0 run for USA in the third quarter could have been more if outside shots were dropping.

The Americans increased the lead to 21 twice in the quarter and led by 19 going into the fourth.

And that's where the party started in terms of the transition scoring that USA coach Jeff Van Gundy had emphasized as a key to the game. The defense and rebounding he had wanted were already in place. Panama would shoot only 31 percent for the game and the USA controlled the boards 50-34 (12-6 offensive). The USA forced Panama into 17 turnovers but committed 12 of their own, including a horrific five straight possessions in the first part of the second quarter.

The quick transition game manifested in that early part of the fourth and would give the USA a commanding 14-2 advantage in fast break points.

The USA defense limited Panamanian playmaker Trevor Gaskins to 1 of 6 shooting and only 2 assists.

Reggie Hearn led the USA in scoring with 12 points, all on 3-pointers (4 of 6) with Bacon the only other American in double figures.

Eleven of the 12 USA players scored. Warney, Ben Moore, and Travis Trice each had 8 points. Johnson, Frank Mason III, Isaiah Hicks and Henry Ellenson each scored 6 points. Ellenson led the USA with 11 rebounds.

Javier Carter was the best player on the court for Panama, leading the team in scoring with 16 points, including two 3-pointers and two highlight dunks. CJ Rodriguez added 13 points.

FIBA