Guiyang, China – Lithuania (4-0) topped the NetScouts Basketball USA All-Stars (2-2) for the second time in China, using a solid rebounding advantage to propel them to an 88-81 victory. Edvinas Jezukevicius led the winners with 18 points and also grabbed 10 rebounds. Arvydas Gydra hit two late three-pointers to keep the Lithuania in front. Anthony Young had his best game of the trip for the USA All-Stars, leading all scorers with 22 points. The game was played in a new gym in Guiyang, which is part of the same county we are staying in, before a crowd estimated at 4,000.
The Americans had their best start of the trip racing out to a 27-21 lead after the first quarter led by Young’s 12 points. Lithuania came back and tied the game at 42 at the half, then extended the lead to three after the third quarter and kept a single digit lead through the rest of the game. Twice the USA cut the lead to three but Gydra hit a three-pointer each time to extend the Lithuanian lead.
Devin Clark
Lithuania out-rebounded the Americans by ten (39-29) and enjoyed a 34-21 edge in free throw attempts. Many fouls were called in the USA trying to stop Lithuania’s fastbreak or on offensive rebounds. American center Devin White was limited to 10 minutes of play due to foul trouble. They only connected on 12 of their free throw attempts (57%) while Lithuania made 28 of their 34 attempts (82%). Deividas Kemelis connected on all ten of his tries.
The USA All-Stars had ten second half turnovers which hurt them. Lithuania hit 66 percent of their two-point attempts (18-of-27) many in transition or off offensive rebounds. The Americans will hope to bounce back tonight in Chenzhou against Italy. The Italians (1-3) beat China (1-3) last night for their first win of the tour.
NetScouts Basketball USA All-Stars
Prince Obasi (Seattle/Colombia) 0 points, 2 assists, 1 steal
Bubu Palo (Iowa State/NBADL) 3 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal
Antonio Robinson (East Carolina/England) 5 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals
Greg Howard (West Liberty/Mexico) 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Brandon Hogg (Southern Indiana/England) 11 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals
Preston Ross (Western Carolina/Germany) 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Anthony Young (Kentucky Wesleyan/Argentina) 22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Caleb Sutton (Judson/Lithuania) 5 points, 0 rebounds
Marcus Byrd (Denver) 5 points, 0 rebounds, 1 steal
Devin White (Northwestern State/Germany) 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
Reggis Onwukamuche (Prairie View A&M/Mongolia) 2 points, 4 rebounds
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