USA inch one step closer to World Cup

WASHINGTON (United States) - After dropping their last game to Brazil, USA got back to their winning ways by defeating Colombia 88-81 to close out Window 5 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers.

USA opened an 11-point lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to knocking down seven three-pointers in the first frame, while Colombia had none. Despite the slow start for Colombia, they won the second quarter 22-17 and only trailed by six points at halftime. Romario Roque and Michaell Jackson combined for 15 points in the quarter, scoring 8 points and 7 points, respectively.

USA grabbed their biggest lead of the game in the third quarter, stretching that lead out to as many as 15 points, but Colombia showed grit and never quit in the final quarter, outscoring USA 26-21. They were able to get as close as 67-60, but USA sunk enough shots to keep enough distance between them and Colombia.

Langston Galloway, who finished the game tied with a team-high 23 points along with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks, eclipsed the 100-point mark in qualifying games and became USA's all-time leader in points scored in the qualifiers.

David Stockton also scored 23 points, connecting on 7-of-11 shots from the field and 3-of-6 three-pointers, as he and Galloway combined to make 15 of USA's 30 total shots from the field and six of the team's 14 made threes. This was Stockton's highest scoring game in his six qualifying games.

Jackson led Colombia in defeat, recording a double-double with a game-high 25 points along with 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals on 6-of-12 shooting from the field and a perfect 11-of-11 from the free-throw line. Roque also chipped in 24 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

Colombia left several points at the free-throw line, converting 22-of-33 shots from the charity stripe, while USA made 14-of-15. In a game where the final margin ended up being only seven points, those points at the free-throw line become crucial and proved to be a difference in the game.

All 12 USA players saw the court tonight and all but one scored. USA also got more production from their bench, holding a 26-9 advantage in points from the bench, as Elijah Pemberton led the bench unit with 10 points.

USA are now 8-2 and still sit in first place in Group F, but they will have to wait to officially qualify to the World Cup until the final qualifying window in February 2023, while Colombia, who are eliminated from World Cup contention, are now 3-7 in the group.

FIBA