FIBA U17 - USA presses way past Canada into Semis

KAUNAS (2012 FIBA U17 World Championship) - Five players scored in double figures as the reigning champions United States cruised past Canada 113-59 to reach the Semi-Finals of the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship.

Tyus Jones led the way with 22 points while Justise Winslow had 17 points and 13 rebounds and Joel Berry scored 15 points for the Americans, who have won their six games thus far by an average of 43.2 points.

Coach Don Showalter's USA out-rebounded Canada 59-36 and forced 22 turnovers with their high-pressure defense. And Team USA will face Spain in the Semi-Finals.

Canada were led by 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals from Justin Jackson while Tyrell Bellot-Green added 12 points. Canada will play against China in the 5-8 classification games.

The Canadians briefly held a four-point lead in the first quarter but Team USA went on an 11-0 run to take a 24-13 advantage. And the cushion was 26-15 after one quarter.

Canada turned the ball over eight times in the second quarter and the Americans increased the cushion to 18 points before leading 46-30 at the break. Jackson tried his best to hold of the American push, scoring nine of his points in the quarter for Canada.

The USA defense was even more intense in the second half and the USA pushed their lead to 35 points as the Americans had full control of the game. The advantage would go as high as 56 points in the fourth quarter.

FIBA