USA/RUS - Trushkin slays USA

RIGA (2011 FIBA U19 World Championship) - Vladislav Trushkin has produced the performance of his young life, hitting 14 points in the final quarter to knock USA out of the FIBA U19 World Championship.

One of the main concerns going into the second quarterfinal was what team Russia would show up with on game night. It would turn out to be a team that would create one of the biggest upsets seen in the history of the FIBA U19 World Championship with USA shocked into submission by the outside shooting of Trushkin and team mate Dmitry Kulagin who between them knocked down eight three pointers. In comparison the United States would not hit one three pointer all night.

It was Dmitry Kulagin leading the Russian charge in the first half with a perfect display of shooting inside and outside the perimeter on his way to claiming 16 first half points - including four from four from beyond the arc - to see Russia up by 10 points after 20 minutes of action.

However, the Russians were never going to be allowed to do it that easily against pre tournament favorites USA and it was Jeremy Lamb leading the USA's comeback, tying the game at 49 with his 14th point of the third quarter.

Despite having lost their 10 point advantage, Russia did not appear to be panicking as they have in games previous, appearing happy to run the shot clock down and wait for their opportunities to penetrate. With Kulagin now neutralized Trushkin was taking over scoring duties, hitting two big threes to give the Russians a five point lead with under three minutes to play.

His biggest play however was yet to come. Trailing by three points and with less than a minute to play, the USA had applied a full court press that looked to have the Russians flustered. But not Trushkin. With the shot clock about to buzz and finding himself with the ball two meters behind the three point line Trushkin launched what would be the final blow with USA finding no way to break back the six point deficit.

Russia will now play Lithuania in Saturday's Semi Final.

FIBA