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Five reach double figures as USA U18 team whips Mexico 110-59

layman

Unlike Saturday’s debut at the FIBA Americas Championships, which featured Memphis signee Shaq Goodwin going off for 30 points on 12-of-12 shooting, the USA U18 team rode a more balanced offensive effort to a 110-59 win over Mexico.

Maryland signee Jake Layman led the way with 18 points and four other Americans reached double figures as Billy Donovan’s team moved to 2-0 in pool play.

Goodwin and NC State signee Rodney Purvis each scored 13 points, Louisville commit Montrezl Harrell added 12 and 2013 forward Julius Randle finished with 11.

Jesse Arias Sanchez was the lone player to reach double figures for Mexico with 13 points, and as a team they turned the ball over 25 times.

Despite making just four of their twenty-three shot attempts from beyond the arc, Donovan’s squad shot 53.8% from the field thanks to their ability to find quality looks inside.

As a team the Americans shot 68.4% from two against Mexico, and they made 67% of their two-point shots in the 105-42 win over the US Virgin Islands on Saturday.

Goodwin and Harrell led the way on the glass with seven rebounds apiece, and guards James Robinson (Pittsburgh signee) and Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State signee) tallied four assists each while combining for seven steals (four for Smart).

Two areas that the USA will need to improve upon heading into the medal round are foul shooting and turnovers.

The Americans made just 54.1% of their foul shots and turned the ball over 17 times on Sunday, and the same can be said for Saturday’s result as they shot 57% from the charity stripe and turned the ball over 21 times.

Team USA finishes up group play on Monday with Brazil, who is hosting the event, at 6 PM EST. The game can be watched live on the FIBA Americas website (bottom right hand side).

Photo credit: Steven Maikowski/USA Basketball

Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.