Northwestern University Athletics
USA Juniors Rally to Defeat Brazil 89-71
7/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 21, 1999
EVANSTON, Ill. -- - The United States Men's Junior World Championship team defeated Brazil 89-71 on Tuesday to improve to 5-0 at the 1999 FIBA Men's Junior World Championships in Almada, Portugal. The Americans will face Russia (4-1) on Wednesday in the final game in medal quarterfinal round play.
Northwestern sophomore forward Steve Lepore (North Olmsted, Ohio/St. Edward) scored 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Lepore sank two consecutive threes to bust open a tight game in the second half. The U.S. led 58-53 with 10 minutes to go when Lepore nailed his first three, then after a U.S. steal, Lepore hit his second straight three to open the lead to 64-53 with 9:45 left.
"Both times were great passes from Steve Logan," said Lepore on his consecutive threes. "One was a penetration, and the other one, Brazil just got mixed up on their defense. I haven't been knocking them down like I had wanted to in the tournament and finally my shots were going down for me."
If the U.S. defeats Russia, it will advance to the medal semifinal rounds at the top of Group II. However, a loss would tie the USA with Brazil and Russia and the fate of the three teams would be determined by point differential.
For complete stories of the U.S. Junior Team, log on to the USA Basketball website at www.usabasketball.com.
