US advances to 2nd round at under-19 basketball world championships

US into 2nd round at under-19 basketball worlds

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Seth Curry scored 12 points and the United States advanced to the second round of the FIBA under-19 world junior basketball championships with a 71-55 win over France on Friday.

Gordon Hayward added 11 points and five rebounds as the United States stayed atop of Group B with one pool match remaining against Egypt on Saturday.

The U.S. led 19-10 at the end of the first quarter and 35-20 at halftime. The United States shot 28 of 70 from the floor and 10 of 37 from three-point range, while France made 17 of 53, from the floor and 5 of 18 three-pointers.

“It was a pretty decisive win, but we could have played better,” U.S. coach Jamie Dixon said. “They’re good, they’re athletic and we couldn’t dominate them inside. We needed to shoot the ball well and we didn’t but our defense was pretty good and that was probably the final margin.”

In other games, Argentina beat Kazakhstan 98-69, notching its second win and leaving it on top of Group D and also likely to reach the second round.

Australia topped Spain 69-62 to move to the top of Group C with a 2-0 record.

Canada moved to second place in the group with a 99-53 win over Syria.

Egypt beat Iran 95-91 in overtime.

Greece topped Group A with a 107-98 win over Puerto Rico.

Croatia beat New Zealand 79-72 to overtake Argentina at the top of Group D while Lithuania earned a 104-46 win over Angola.