Indiana University Athletics
Wright, USA Play for Gold
8/1/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
August 1, 2004
Halifax, Canada - Indiana junior guard Bracey Wright logged 21 minutes and scored four points with three rebounds as the USA World Championship For Young Men Qualifying Team (4-0) pounded Canada, 86-63. The USA will face Puerto Rico (3-1) in Sunday night's gold medal contest.The United States has played in all four gold medal games at this event, earning gold in 1996 and silver in 1993 and 2000, while compiling an overall 19-2 win-loss record overall.
Wake Forest teammates Justin Gray and Chris Paul were deadly from three-point range, converting on a combined 9-of 15, while scoring 18 and 19 points, respectively. Charlotte's Curtis Withers also had a strong game with 11 points and seven rebounds.
"There was so much at stake. The variable tonight was to play for a gold medal," said USA and University of Oklahoma head coach Kelvin Sampson. "Their kids were hungry, they were physical. In the first half they took it to us. In the second half, we moved our post guys out and told them to meet them at the free throw line and not let them get position in the block. The bottom line was we outrebounded them in the second half 23-11, we were more physical and the best team won the game. I also thought the toughest team won the game and that's what we've been preaching from day one."
The U.S. shot 49.2 percent (30-61 FGs) from the field, including a sizzling 50.0 percent (10-20 3pt FGs) from beyond the arc, while limiting the Canadians to 33.3 percent (19-57 FGs) from the field and an ice-cold 5.6 percent (1-18 3pt FGs) from 3-point. However, Canada, which was sent to the line 34 times, scored 24 points from the stripe. The United States, whistled for 30 fouls compared to Canada's 19, outrebounded its neighbors to the north 36-28.
With the victory, the United States automatically qualified for the 2005 FIBA World Championship For Young Men by virtue of it's guaranteed top three finish.
Puerto Rico (3-1) advanced to the gold medal game by virtue of its 73-67 victory over this tournament's defending champion Argentina (3-1).
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 12
Tuesday, August 11
Tuesday, August 11