Yueyang, China – Anthony Young connected on 6-of-9 three-pointers and scored 27 points to lead the NetScouts Basketball USA All-Stars (6-2) over Italy (1-7) 92-80 in front of 4,974 fans at the new Yueyang Sports Arena last night. The victory brings the USA All-Stars within one victory of the overall Four Nations tournament title as well as the victory in the tournament in Yueyang. Antonio Robinson has his best game of the tour contributing 19 points and four assists for the winners. Paris Bass led Italy with 20 points.
The USA All-Stars had a strong first quarter, taking a 25-11 lead and a 26-15 lead at the close of the quarter. Italy then came back and closed to 41-40 at halftime. Led by key shots by Young and Robinson and inspired play by center Reggis Onwukamuche (8 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks) the USA took control of the game in the third quarter. Greg Howard (11 points) hit a long three-pointer which extended the USA lead to 13 points. They outscored the Italians 26-11 in the quarter to take a 16-point lead into the final stanza. The Americans maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the game.
The USA All-Stars played the game without guards Brandon Hogg as Prince Obasi who were both held out with groin injuries. Reduced to nine players the USA received key contributions from Young, Robinson, Onwukamuche and Howard as well as Caleb Sutton (11 first half points) and Marcus Byrd (six rebounds). Bubu Palo was limited by foul trouble but scored seven second half points and was credited with five assists.
This was the best shooting game for the Americans as they shot 48 percent from long distance (10-of-21) and 50 percent on two-pointers. Italy, helped by 23 offensive rebounds had a +12 rebounding advantage. However the Italians only shot 18 percent (3-of-17) on three-pointers. Long-distance shooting was the difference in the game along with free throw shooting. The Americans shot 77 percent (10-of-13) from the charity stripe while Italy was only 9-of-17 (53 percent).
China (4-4) escaped with a 69-66 win over Lithuania (5-3) as the Lithuanians missed two three-pointers in the closing seconds that would have forced overtime. The USA and China are both undefeated in Yueyang and will battle for the local title tonight.
NetScouts Basketball USA All-Stars
Prince Obasi (Seattle/Colombia) DNP – Injury
Bubu Palo (Iowa State/NBADL) 7 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds
Antonio Robinson (East Carolina/England) 19 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Greg Howard (West Liberty/Mexico) 11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Brandon Hogg (Southern Indiana/England) DNP – Injury
Preston Ross (Western Carolina/Germany) 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Anthony Young (Kentucky Wesleyan/Argentina) 27 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Caleb Sutton (Judson/Lithuania) 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Marcus Byrd (Denver) 2 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Devin White (Northwestern State/Germany) 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Reggis Onwukamuche (Prairie View A&M/Mongolia) 8 points, 10 rebounds. 2 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks
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