USA/ARG - Late surge seals USA's semi-final berth
NOVI SAD (FIBA U19 World Championships) - Twenty-two points in the last five minutes guided the United States to a double scalp of South American opponents as they beat Argentina 112-86 to make the semi-finals of the FIBA U19 World Championships.
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NOVI SAD (FIBA U19 World Championship) - Twenty-two points in the last five minutes guided the United States to a double scalp of South American opponents as they beat Argentina 112-86 to make the semi-finals of the FIBA U19 World Championships.
USA, who had made short shrift of seeing off Brazil 104-65 in the eighth-finals, were made to work slightly harder against their continental neighbours, but tormentor-in-chief Patrick Beverley helped them maintain their 100% record and also notch up their fourth three-figure score of the tournament.
Beverley led all scorers with 20 points and six rebounds, although he was ably assisted by Raymar Morgan, who added 16 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
Argentina, who had only edged into the last eight on points difference, were shown up here, although the result could have been closer had it not been for the wayward shooting from the arc of Facundo Pinero.
Pinero, who missed a crucial last-minute basket in his side's narrow 79-78 defeat to Australia, netted three of seven (42.8%) three-point efforts to contribute to a poor team record of nine of 27 (33.3%).
The USA were little better from long range with 10 from 28 (35.7%), but sank 30 of 40 (75%) from the charity stripe on their way to a comprehensive victory.
Along with fellow swashbucklers Australia, USA have been the team to watch in this tournament and they opened up an 18-point advantage by the end of the first period.
From then on it was damage limitation for Argentina.
Although they failed to find a way to rein the United States in, they did at least prevent them extending their lead out of sight, and after two quarters of nip and tuck, the score was 83-66 going into the final period, the USA's advantage still just 17 points.
Argentina did briefly reduce the deficit to 11 points at 91-80 with 5:10 left on the clock, but any hopes that that might be assailable were dashed with a final scoring burst of 22-6, Stephen Curry and Morgan doing most of the damage with 13 points between them.
Nicolas de los Santos was unlucky to be on the losing side after chalking up 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Argentina end their tournament with a 3-4 record while the USA are now on an impressive 7-0 winning run.
David Broome
FIBA