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Edwards Scores 35, But USA Falls To Lithuania
September 03, 2023 | Men's Basketball
Americans to face Italy in World Cup quarterfinals
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MANILA, Philippines — Former Georgia Bulldog Anthony Edwards exploded for 35 points – equaling the second-most ever by any American in World Championships/World Cup competition – however, the USA National Team dropped a 110-104 decision to Lithuania on Sunday.
The contest was the final game of the World Cup's qualifying stage and gave the Lithuanians the top seed out of Group J. The USA finished second and will face Italy, which won Group I, in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at 8:40 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
Edwards started quickly, scoring the first four points for the USA before a white-hot shooting Lithuania team surged to a 31-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lithuanians converted all six of their 3-pointers in the opening period and eventually knocked down their first nine attempts from behind the arc.
After trailing 54-37 at halftime, the USA used a 15-2 surge over the first 4:16 of the third quarter to pull within 56-52. After Lithuania ended that run, the Americans closed within four points four times thereafter but were never able to make it a one-possession game.
Edwards finished 14-of-26 from the field, including a quintet of 3-pointers, and 2-of-4 from the line. He also recorded three steals and two assists in 29 minutes of action. The Atlanta native is the only player on the USA roster to reach double figures in all six World Cup games to date and is averaging a team-high 20.2 points per game.
Edwards' 35-point performance equaled Carmelo Anthony's output against Italy in 2006 and was three points shy of Kevin Durant's USA record of 38 points versus Lithuania in the 2010 tournament.
Edwards was tabbed SEC Freshman of the Year in 2020 season when he was top-scoring freshman (19.1 ppg) in the nation. He was chosen No. 1 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by Minnesota and has led the Timberwolves to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023. He also was tabbed as an NBA All-Star last season.
FIBA holds the World Cup every four years. Formerly known at the World Championships, the World Cup is considered the flagship event of FIBA, basketball's international governing body. The USA has won five Gold Medals in 18 editions of the event, last doing so in 2014.
MANILA, Philippines — Former Georgia Bulldog Anthony Edwards exploded for 35 points – equaling the second-most ever by any American in World Championships/World Cup competition – however, the USA National Team dropped a 110-104 decision to Lithuania on Sunday.
The contest was the final game of the World Cup's qualifying stage and gave the Lithuanians the top seed out of Group J. The USA finished second and will face Italy, which won Group I, in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at 8:40 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
Edwards started quickly, scoring the first four points for the USA before a white-hot shooting Lithuania team surged to a 31-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lithuanians converted all six of their 3-pointers in the opening period and eventually knocked down their first nine attempts from behind the arc.
After trailing 54-37 at halftime, the USA used a 15-2 surge over the first 4:16 of the third quarter to pull within 56-52. After Lithuania ended that run, the Americans closed within four points four times thereafter but were never able to make it a one-possession game.
Edwards finished 14-of-26 from the field, including a quintet of 3-pointers, and 2-of-4 from the line. He also recorded three steals and two assists in 29 minutes of action. The Atlanta native is the only player on the USA roster to reach double figures in all six World Cup games to date and is averaging a team-high 20.2 points per game.
Edwards' 35-point performance equaled Carmelo Anthony's output against Italy in 2006 and was three points shy of Kevin Durant's USA record of 38 points versus Lithuania in the 2010 tournament.
Edwards was tabbed SEC Freshman of the Year in 2020 season when he was top-scoring freshman (19.1 ppg) in the nation. He was chosen No. 1 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by Minnesota and has led the Timberwolves to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023. He also was tabbed as an NBA All-Star last season.
FIBA holds the World Cup every four years. Formerly known at the World Championships, the World Cup is considered the flagship event of FIBA, basketball's international governing body. The USA has won five Gold Medals in 18 editions of the event, last doing so in 2014.
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