ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – For USA Basketball, the first World Cup qualifying test is out of the way.
Jameel Warney and Reggie Hearn each scored 17 points and the United States opened qualifying for the 2019 Basketball World Cup with an 85-78 victory over Puerto Rico on Thursday night.
Xavier Munford scored 12 points and Markel Brown added 10 for the Americans, who trailed 57-51 late in the third. A 10-0 run late in that quarter gave the U.S. the lead, and a 22-12 burst in the fourth decided things.
“Those of our players that have played in a FIBA game, I think knew what to expect,” U.S. coach Jeff Van Gundy said.
“But those that had not played in a FIBA game, it was harder for them initially to adapt and adjust. We got hit with haymakers early, and I was really proud of our guys.”