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Sunday, August 12
Updated: August 16, 2:59 AM ET
Duhon, Bell lead U.S. to U-21 gold
Associated Press
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SAITAMA, Japan -- Duke's Chris Duhon and Troy Bell of Boston
College combined for 11 3-pointers Sunday to lead the United States
to an 89-80 win over Croatia in the final of the World Basketball
Championship for Young Men.
Bell scored 24 points, including six 3-pointers, and Duhon was
5-for-12 from downtown in a 19-point effort with 14 assists as the
U.S. finished the 12-nation tournament with an 8-0 record.
"It was a great game," said Duhon. "Croatia gave us
everything we could handle. They made some unbelievable shots and
fought us all the way to the end."
As they've done all tournament, the U.S. team had a big third
period, scoring 27 points to take a 69-59 lead. Duhon had a pair
from the 3-point line and Bell had two, including one at the buzzer
from 30 feet out.
The victory marks the second time in the history of the U21
tournament that the United States has claimed the gold medal. The
U.S. won the inaugural tournament in 1993 in Spain.
"It was by far our best performance," said U.S. coach Jim
Boeheim. "They were the first team that put us in a hole. Croatia
played an almost perfect first half and we were very, very
fortunate to be within five points at halftime."
Croatia led 47-42 at the half, getting three 3-pointers from
Mario Stojic and clutch baskets under the net from 7-foot center
Bruno Sundov, who scored 14 points in the first half and 23 for the
game.
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