Why the USA remains to be alive within the World Cup after dropping to Lithuania

Sports activities Information

This loss was a setback, but it surely wasn’t a backbreaker.

Anthony Edwards of the USA drives towards Rokas Jokubaitis of Lithuania. Yong Teck Lim/Getty Photographs

The US misplaced, 110-104, to a Jonas Valanciunas-led Lithuania workforce Sunday in 2023 FIBA World Cup second-round motion.

After falling behind, 54-37, at halftime, Group USA stormed again to chop it to 6 by means of three. USA had its possibilities late, however Lithuania preserved one of many larger wins in its nation’s historical past.

Anthony Edwards led all scorers with 35 factors, and Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges added 14 apiece. Seven Lithuania gamers scored in double figures, and Lithuania out-rebounded the USA, 43-27.

Lithuania additionally shot 56 p.c from 3-point vary and 80 p.c from the road.

Regardless of the loss, the USA isn’t eradicated from the match and has additionally secured its spot within the 2024 Olympics. After profitable each sport convincingly in spherical one, the U.S. did greater than sufficient to advance.

The US entered Group J, alongside Lithuania, Montenegro, and Greece. The information from spherical one carried over to spherical two, and the highest two groups from every of the 4 teams superior to the quarterfinals.

Group USA beat Montenegro, 85-73, on Friday in a classification sport, which secured its spot within the quarters. Sunday’s matchup gave Lithuania the upper seed.

The US will face Italy within the quarterfinals Tuesday.

Spain received the 2019 FIBA World Cup after the U.S. was knocked out within the quarterfinals. The U.S. has received all of it 5 occasions, with its final triumph coming in 2014.