U.S. finish seventh at World Cup
after Poland win
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 [September 14, 2019]
BEIJING (Reuters) - The U.S.
cruised to a 87-74 win over Poland to finish seventh at the FIBA
Basketball World Cup on Saturday, putting the seal on the worst-ever
performance for the Americans at the tournament.
With the Boston Celtics trio of Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum and
Marcus Smart sitting out, the USA hit eight of 13 three-pointers to
lead by 17 at the half.
The resilient Poles cut that lead, however, to seven midway through
the third period of the classification game to decide seventh and
eighth places.
Donovan Mitchell made five of his six field goal attempts as he
registered a double-double of 16 points and 10 assists, and his team
shot 48% from behind the three-point line.
Despite some dogged play, the Poles couldn't get close enough to
threaten, but there will be soul-searching rather than celebration
for the Americans who entered as favorites but finished seventh
after defeats to France and Serbia.
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
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Khris Middleton of the U.S. in action with Poland's Damian
Kulig REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
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