Team USA defeated South Sudan rather comfortably on Wednesday night in their second game of group play, 103-86.
The game was a contrast to the two squad's exhibition game on July 20 where the United States needed a LeBron James layup to seal the 101-100 win. On Wednesday, the United States took control from the outset, capitalizing on South Sudan misses.
The USA led by 12, 26-14, after one quarter and extended the lead to 19, 55-36, going into halftime. South Sudan came out better in the second half, getting within 11, 60-49, with 6:02 remaining in the third on a Nuni Omot three-pointer. The United States kept their opposition at bay though, going on a 13-5 run sparked by Anthony Edwards and Bam Adebayo, both of whom provided energy off the bench.
The closest that South Sudan got in the fourth quarter was 11 points after two three-pointers from Carlik Jones made the score 77-66 USA with 8:14 remaining. Jones, a native of Cincinnati, O.H., played from 2021-2023 with the NBA G-League's Texas Legends and Windy City Bulls, as well as the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, and Chicago Bulls. Jones finished with 18 points and seven assists for South Sudan. Leading that side was Omot, who put up 24 points on 8-for-12 from the field. Bul Kuol scored 16 points while Marial Shayok scored 12.
For the Americans, Adebayo led the way with 18 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks, while Kevin Durant scored 14, Edwards 13, and Derrick White 10. All four players came off the bench. Among the starters, James (12 points) and Devin Booker (10 points) finished in double figures. James, with his point total, joined Durant and Carmelo Anthony as the only players in Team USA history to accumulate 300 points. Jayson Tatum, who did not see action against Serbia, started in the game, while Joel Embiid did not play.
The game was a nice rebound for USA after their close encounter with South Sudan in the July 20 exhibition game. You could tell that the Americans came out with a greater sense of urgency and a different mindset from the get-go on Wednesday.
Serbia trounced Puerto Rico earlier on Wednesday 107-66, while France defeated Japan narrowly in overtime, 94-90, on Tuesday. Germany also prevailed 86-73 over Brazil on Tuesday. Action picks back up on Friday, Aug. 2 with four games as Japan faces Brazil, Australia faces Greece, Canada plays Spain, and France and Germany meet in what should be a great match-up. The Americans face Puerto Rico at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3.
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