Basketball: US tops Puerto Rico at under-19 championships
Associated Press
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Howard Thompkins III had 14 points and nine rebounds and the United States qualified for the quarterfinals with an 82-61 win over Puerto Rico at the FIBA under-19 world championships Tuesday.
Gordon Hayward had 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals for the United States, which clinched first place in Group E.
The United States (5-0) led 20-13 after a tight first quarter but went on a 23-6 run in the second period to take a 43-19 lead into halftime.
Croatia and Australia also qualified for Friday’s quarterfinals.
Australia beat Argentina 76-65 and Croatia defeated Spain 91-72.
Argentina, Spain, Puerto Rico and Lithuania are among teams needing to win their last second-round games on Wednesday to advance to the last eight.
In other games, France beat Lithuania 95-78, Greece beat Egypt 100-59 and Canada beat Kazakhstan 108-70.