FIBA U17 - USA shake free from Spain after halftime to reach Final

KAUNAS (2012 FIBA U17 World Championship) – Defending champions United States ran away from Spain in the second half of their Semi-Final to register a 95-66 win and reach the Final of the 2012 U17 World Championship.

Justise Winslow paced the Americans with 17 points and 13 rebounds while Conner Frankamp added 13 points and Johnathan Williams chipped in with 12 points.

Team USA played without Jabari Parker but did not need the star forward as coach Don Showalter’s side out-rebounded the Spanish 57-30 and forced 23 turnovers.

Spain, who will play for the bronze medal, did not have a player score in double figures with Adreu Adrover and Alberto Martin leading the way with 8 points each.

The Americans struggled in the first quarter against the Spanish zone defense and the Europeans led 19-12 with USA star center Jahlil Okafor picking up three fouls just 2:48 into the game.

The Spanish lead was 19-14 after one quarter.

The game went back and forth in the second quarter with 16 ties or lead changes. Spain were ahead 32-30 with just more than four minutes left when star center Ilimane Diop picked up his third foul and a technical foul on top of that – parking him on the bench with four fouls.

Team USA pushed the lead to six points and the gap was 43-37 for the Americans at halftime when Tyus Jones nailed a three-ball just before the buzzer.

The Americans increased the cushion to 12 points before the Spanish pulled within seven, 55-48.

But Team USA put together an 11-0 run for an 18-point advantage 66-48 and the game was basically over.

The Spaniards would not get closer than 14 points the rest of the way.

FIBA