Serbia proved that they were the only team that could hang with the USA at the FIBA U-19 World Championship. Against everyone else, the US won by an average of 48 points. But Team USA only beat Serbia by nine the first time they met, and today they met again for the gold medal.
Behind strong play from Rasheed Sulaimon, the Americans took a 2-point lead into halftime. Serbia was led by Vasilije Micic who had 5 points and 8 assists at the break. The US was able to stretch the lead to six heading into the final quarter, and that's where they took over the game.
The pressure defense put in by Billy Donovan and Shaka Smart finally wore down the Serbians, and Team USA led almost the entire quarter by double figures. The final was 82-68. Team USA won their 2nd gold medal in three tournaments, and their 5th since play began in 1979.
Montrezl Harrell led the US with 17 points, and capped the game off with a monster dunk off the pass from Elfrid Payton. Nigel Williams-Goss had 15 points, and Rasheed Sulaimon had 12.
