USA to Play for 5th Place

The previously undefeated USA fell to 4-1 Lithuania 76-74 in the quarter-finals of the World University Games. This was the same Lithuanians who had already lost to the Russians by 15 and would go on to lose in the semis to Canada (Canada!) by 15.

But the USA had a horrible shooting day, making just 23-of-67 (34%) of FG and 5-for-30 (17%) on 3s. Trevor Mbakwe led the USA with 10 rebounds and 3 blocks but shot 0-for-3 from the field.

The USA bounced back to beat Romania 94-63 in the consolation semi-final but that was small, er, consolation. Mbakwe had 7 points and, again, a team-high 8 boards.

Canada will play Serbia for gold. The USA will meet Germany for 5th place.

Meanwhile the USA women won the University Games, hammering Taiwan 1o1-66.