Derrick White (2nd R) breaks through during the Classification Games 7-8 between the United States and Poland at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 14, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Team USA finally finished 7th at the FIBA World Cup, the worst results of the tournament for the Americans
BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Team USA defeated Poland by 87-74 at FIBA World Cup here on Saturday, finishing in seventh place overall, the worst-ever performance for the five-time world champions.
Donovan Mitchell had a team-high 16 points, also dished 10 assists. Joe Harris posted 14 points, Khris Middleton added 13 while Derrick White grabbed 12. Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, and Kemba Walker were sidelined due to injury.
Mateusz Ponitka finished with a game-high 18 points, also grabbed 7 rebounds for Poland. Adam Waczynski notched 17 points and A.J. Slaughter ended up with 15 points.
Dominik Olejniczak (R) of Poland defends Harrison Barnes of the United States during the Classification Games 7-8 between the United States and Poland at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 14, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
The USA surged a 13-0 run to take the lead on 31-14 in the first quarter and went up 16 in the second before Poland answered with 10 unanswered points to trim the deficit to 7 at 54-47 in the second half, however, they failed to overturn the shortfall.
The USA was knocked out in the quarter-finals by France and then lost their classification match to Serbia. However, the only silver lining being that the USA secured qualification to the Tokyo Olympics next summer where they will have the chance to defend their title.
