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U.S.finish pool play 3-0 after 75-49 rout of South Korea

By NWBA, 08/20/18, 6:00AM CDT

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HAMBURG, GERMANY- Only three games into the U.S. men’s national team's IWBF World Championship campaign, and Team USA is starting to hit its stride.

Jake Williams of Milwaukee, Wisconsin scored a team-high 18 points, and the Americans rolled to a third straight victory with a 72-49 blowout over South Korea on Monday. Jared Arambula of Valparaiso, Indiana flirted with a triple-double (11 points, seven rebounds and eight assists) as the Americans finished pool play a flawless 3-0.

The U.S. got off to quick a lead and never looked back. Williams picked up where he left off last game, racking up with nine points in the first six minutes of the opening quarter.  As he knocked down shots from deep, Steve Serio of Westbury, New York zigged and zagged through defenders in the paint for seven points. Arambula showed off his vision with five assists, including a touchdown pass on the fast break to Serio and no-look, behind the back dish to Nate Hinze of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The U.S. as whole moved the ball well, with nine assists on 10 made shots.

South Korea came out running a simple offense, but like the last game against Great Britain, the U.S. struggled to secure defensive rebounds early on. Even with the rebounding woes, the U.S. finished the first quarter up 25-12.

U.S. head coach Ron Lykins put in a defensive unit to begin the second quarter and jumped into full court press. The result? Ten first half turnovers from the Koreans. Trevon Jenifer of Huntington, Maryland came off the bench to score ten points, with a few of his layups coming off of nifty assists from Matt Scott of Detroit Michigan. Scott finished the game with 11 points and four assists. The hyper-aggressive U.S. defense was a staple throughout, as the South Koreans shot 29% at the half compared to 65% for the U.S. The Americans went into halftime up 44-21.

The bench unit started the third quarter for the U.S. and the offense sputtered a bit, scoring only two field goals in the first seven minutes. South Korean captain Dong Hyeon Gin exposed the rebounding issues that continue haunted the Americans. Even in a blowout Gim did not lay down, throwing his body around and scrapping for loose balls. Gim finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds (6 offensive) on the night. The Koreans outscored the U.S. in the third quarter 13-11, but still trailed 55-34.

All 12 players on both teams saw court time by the fourth quarter, as the U.S. lead ballooned to as much as 23 points. Jenifer logged heavy minutes in the second half; his defensive effort and quick hands made it difficult for the Koreans to muster up any hope for a comeback.

The men went 3-0 in pool play, winning their games by an average of just over 21 points. The U.S. will play Morocco (0-3) for its crossover game at 4 am Eastern on Tuesday.

Also joining Lykins on the sidelines are assistant coaches Robb Taylor of Auburn, Alabama, and John Sikora of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Scott Meyer of Columbia, Missouri, serves as the Team Leader, with Mary Vacala of Savannah, Georgia, filling the athletic trainer position. Assisting Valaca at the trainer position is Jeremy Johnson of Dothan, Alabama.

The U.S. men have returned home with a medal from every World Championships since 1975, accumulating six gold medals and four silver medals. USA has played for the gold medal in 9 of the last 10 IWBF World Championships, most recently winning silver in 2014.

 

2018 IWBF World Championships

Hamburg, Germany

August 16 - 26, 2018

2018 IWBF World Championships Results

USA def. Poland, 82-51

USA def. Great Britain, 66-59

USA de. South Korea, 75-49

U.S. Men’s Schedule for 2018 IWBF World Championships

8/18 vs Poland 3:30 AM (Eastern/New York)

8/19 vs Great Britain 2:15 PM

8/20 vs South Korea 8:00 AM

 

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The U.S. men play their third and final pool match of the IWBF Championships against South Korea today at 8:00 AM, EST. Stay here to watch the game, get live stats and post-game recaps!

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