United States secures first win of AmeriCup with statement win over Panama

RECIFE (Brasil) – USA bounced back from their opening loss to Mexico by delivering a statement win against Panama to keep their hardware chances alive at the FIBA AmeriCup, securing an 88-58 win to move to 1-1 in Group C.

Scoring 57 first half points, USA made a statement with their playmaking ability, tallying 21 assists in the game as they moved the ball effortlessly to create space and get shots up, shooting 53 percent from the floor.

While every single player on the floor for USA made a scoring impact, it was Norris Cole and Jeremy Pargo who combined for 24 of USA’s points, shooting over 57 percent from the floor with Cole adding four 3-point baskets in the win.

Gary Clark not only was able to score from beyond the arc, shooting 60 percent for 9 points and for USA, but he also dominated the defensive boards to prevent Panama from getting any second chances at the net.

Grabbing just 23 defensive rebounds, Panama allowed United States to tip in 10 second chance points compared to just 2 points of their own from rebounding.

Panama’s Isaac Hall Machore and Josimar Ayarza attempted to keep their country in the game as they combined for 21 of Panama’s 58 points, but with the rest of their roster contributing just 37 points, they were unable to hold on as USA increased their lead as large as 34 points in the game.

One of the positives of Panama’s play was their ability to pressure USA and force them to turn the ball over, nabbing 8 steals in the match as well as playing tenacious and getting 3 blocks while refraining from fouling.

But United States’ three-point shooting as a team of 45 percent with five different players hitting at least 50 percent of their shots from deep versus Panama shooting 23 percent from beyond the arc made the difference in the game.

Cole led United States with 14 points and 4 assist while Pargo added 10 points and 5 assists in the win, while Machore led Panama with 12 points.

FIBA