Cumulative Stats through First Three Games
Aug. 4, 2003
After watching victory slip away last night, the USA men refocused and battled to a 74-72 edging of Uruguay this afternoon in the final preliminary round game at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In a game in which the winner would advance to the medal semifinal round while the loser would fall to the consolation round, both teams were even at 59 points after the third quarter.
The two teams battled head-to-head for the final 10 minutes and in the end it was free throws that saved the U.S. squad when Rickey Paulding (Missouri/Detroit, Mich.) and Josh Childress (Stanford/Los Angeles, Calif.) both hit one a piece in the final 20 seconds to seal the exciting victory. Center Arthur Johnson (Missouri/Detroit, Mich.) finished with 17 points after going 6-for-8 from the field and 5-for-8 from the charity stripe and Andre Barrett (Seton Hall/Bronx, N.Y.) once again provided double digit scoring with 11 points, and Chuck Hayes (Kentucky/Modesto, Calif.) added 10 points. This USA will face the winner of the Dominican Republic and Brazil game Tuesday night at 9 p.m. (EDT)
That game was unbelievable," said head coach Tom Izzo (Michigan State University). "Other than the start, we really locked them up defensively. We didn't shoot it as well as we had in previous games, but our defense was a lot better.
Barrett and Josh Childress (Stanford/Los Angeles, Calif.) led a hard-nosed USA defensive effort that continuously disrupted the Uruguay offense.
"Andre and Josh did an incredible job," Izzo added. "I asked Josh to step it up and be more physical, and he did everything I asked. We missed some open shots, but we scored in other ways. I think we scored on almost every in-bounds play and we did a good job down on the block."
After Uruguay built a 33-23 lead on a Gustavo Szczgielski 17-foot jumper with 636 left in the second quarter, the USA went on a 10-0 run to tie the score with 242 left in the period. Chuck Hayes (Kentucky/Modesto, Calif.) contributed half the points in the stretch, including two tough baskets in the paint and a free throw to tie the game. Three treys from the Uruguayans, including a prayer of a heave by Luis Silveria that beat the shot clock, left the USA trailing 42-36 at halftime.
After Uruguay's Silveria snared the opening tip to drive for a layup, the USA cranked its defensive intensity up several notches. The USA's increased defensive efforts fed a 19-11 run that tied the game at 55 when Arthur Johnson (Missouri/Detroit, Mich.) finished a fast break off a Blake Stepp (Gonzaga/Eugene, Ore.) steal with two minutes left in the quarter. Barrett scored seven of the first nine points in the run, with Johnson adding six hard-won points in the paint.
Uruguay's Mazzarino broke the tie with a pair of free throws with 1:35 left in the third, but Chris Hill (Michigan State/Indianapolis, Ind.) answered with a layup with 58 seconds left that was started when Brandon Mouton (Texas / Lafayette, La.) blocked a Trelonnie Owens shot. The two sides added a basket to close the quarter tied at 59.
The USA went on an 8-4 run to hold a 69-63 lead when Childress slammed it home with 4:28 left on a breakaway started by Rickey Paulding's (Missouri/ Detroit, Mich.) block of a Mazzarino shot. Mazzarino answered with a 3-pointer at 4:12, igniting a 9-2 Uruguay run that saw it surge in front 72-71 with 125 to go. Johnson tied the game with a free throw at 1:07, then Paulding inched the Americans back ahead with another free throw with 33 seconds to go.
Uruguay's shot to take the lead missed, but Childress was tied up on the rebound and the possession arrow gave the ball back to Uruguay. Seven seconds later, Barrett reached in to tie up Alejandro Muro in the open floor, gaining possession back for the USA. Paulding hit the back end of a two-shot foul with eight seconds left to give the Americans a tenuous two-point cushion.
"I wanted to put pressure on every pass down the stretch," said Barrett of his game-saving play. "When I saw him put the ball down at my level, and I was already down there, I reached out and snatched it."
"That was an unbelievable play by Andre Barrett to get us the ball at the end of the game," remarked Izzo. "It was heads-up all the way. We really needed his leadership today. He got us into our offensive, scored the ball well and delivered in the clutch."
Down by two, Mazzarino drove the right side of the lane, then kicked the ball out to a waiting Silveria in the left corner for the would-be game-winning three. Silveria's off-balance attempt clanged off the iron as the horn sounded and the Americans had the thrilling 74-72 win.
Johnson led the USA effort with 17 points, supported by Barrett's 11, and 10 from Hayes, who added a game-high seven rebounds. Mazzarino led all scorers with 23, 14 of which came in the second half.
2003 Pan American Games USA Basketball Men's Notes and Quotes USA vs. Uruguay, August 4, 2003
USA head coach Tom Izzo (Michigan State University) on the game tonight: "That game was unbelievable. Other than the start, we really locked them up defensively. We didn't shoot it as well as we had in previous games, but our defense was a lot better. Andre and Josh did an incredible job. I asked Josh to step it up and be more physical, and he did everything I asked. We missed some open shots, but we scored in other ways. I think we scored on almost every in-bounds play and we did a good job down on the blocks."
On Barrett's defensive play to gain possession back with eight seconds left: "That was an unbelievable play by Andre Barrett to get us the ball at the end of the game. It was heads-up all the way. We really needed his leadership today. He got us into our offensive, scored the ball well and delivered in the clutch."
On the next opponent (the winner of Mondays game between Brazil and the Dominican Republic): "It doesn't matter who we play, because it's one-and-done time now, you win and advance. This team is now starting to understand what we want them to do. My hat's off to them for this win tonight."
Rickey Paulding (Missouri) "The coaches told me to bring energy tonight. In the fourth quarter, that's what I tried to do. I tried to make plays any way I could. I must convert my free throws. That was the one bad thing about tonight. My knee felt much better. I wish I could have played last night."