USA under-19 team uses defense in 71-55 win and improves to 2-0

July 4, 8:56 AMPitt Panthers ExaminerSteve Flinn

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Pitt and USA coach Jamie Dixon   Pitt Sports Info Dept

Pitt coach Jamie Dixon always teaches the importance of defense to his Panther teams, especially when the offense is not having a good night. His attitude seems to be carrying over to the USA Under-19 team he is coaching this summer.

The USA (2-0) held France to 32 percent shooting on its way to a 71-55 win in its second game in the World Championship Tournament at Auckland, New Zealand.

"We needed to shoot the ball well, but we didn't," Dixon said. "We also couldn't dominate them inside, but I think our defense was good and that was the margin of victory."

The US led from start to finish and was led by Seth Curry (Duke) who scored 12 points.

"I had a little bit of rhythm, some guys penetrated and kicked it out to me and I was able to knock them down," Curry said. "After I hit my first two threes, they went box and one and that just opens it up for my teammates to get open shots and that's when we pushed it up.”

Gordon Hayward (Butler) scored 11 points and Pitt's Ashton Gibbs added 10.

"It was a pretty decisive win," Dixon said. "I thought we could have played better, but they're [France] athletic."

The defense forced France into three quick turnovers while scoring the game's first nine points, five of those coming from Gibbs.

"We knew they were a tough team so we wanted to make a statement quick," Gibbs said. "Make a statement early and bring our intensity, I think that's what we did."

Taking a 19-10 lead into the second quarter, France guard Andrew Albicy hit two threes to reduce the American lead to 21-16. A basket by DeAngelo Casto (Washington State) followed by five points from White, upped the U.S. lead to 28-16 with 5:32 left before half.

The U.S. outscored France 7-4 over the second quarter's final 5:05 and exited to its locker room at halftime enjoying a 35-20 lead.

The USA is guaranteed an invitation to the second round, which will begin next week. A victory against Egypt on July 4 will send the US to the next round as a number-one seed in their division (Group B).

For more info: www.pittsburghpanthers.com, www.usabasketball.com