FIBA World Cup: Big 3rd quarter sends USA to semis

For almost the entirety of the FIBA World Cup, the Americans have started slow before blowing the game open in the 3rd quarter. On Tuesday, they used their biggest third quarter yet, outscoring Slovenia 37-22, blowing a seven-point halftime lead into twenty points heading into the final frame en route to a 119-76 victory.

After being held without a field goal in the first half, James Harden led the charge for the US in the second half, finishing with 14 points over the final two frames. Klay Thompson was the game’s leading scorer, finishing with 20 points on 7 for 12 shooting. Both Kenneth Faried and Anthony Davis finished with double-doubles for the Americans, with Faried tallying 14 points and 10 rebounds and Davis grabbing 11 boards to go with 13 points.

As has often been the case for the red, white and blue, Slovenia jumped out to a quick 8-4 lead in front of the pro-Slovenian crowd in Barcelona. However, a subsequent 11-2 run by the USA gave them the lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Fared led the way in the first half, scoring 12 of his 14 points over the first two quarters.

Despite staying close through the second quarter, the Slovenians never really tested the Americans during the final three frames. The fourth quarter saw lots of garbage time baskets and high reel dunks.

Joining Harden, Thompson, Farried and Davis in double figures were Kyrie Irving and Derrick Rose with 12 points each. Rose had his best outing of the summer, shooting 6 of 10 from the field and displaying the explosiveness that led him to a MVP award many seasons ago.

With the win, the Americans will be taking on Lithuania on Thursday afternoon, with a spot in Sunday’s finals at stake.