MAR DE PLATA, Argentina — The USA U21 team with LSU sophomore forward Glen Davis, which led 49-40 at halftime, battled all night to secure a 103-83 victory over Lithuania.
Upping its record to 2-0 at the 2005 U21 FIBA World Championship, the United States again posted a balanced scoring attack with Rajon Rondo and Marcus Williams at the head of the class with 17 points apiece. Additionally, Mardy Collins and Justin Gray pitched in 14 and 12 points, respectively; while Rondo had four steals and Gray grabbed a team-best seven rebounds.
Davis, in his second game, had four points and three rebounds, hitting 2-of-8 field goal attempts with one steal, as his playing time was limited to nine minutes because of four fouls.
“It was a pretty good match,” Davis said in quotes provided by USA Basketball. “(Lithuania) played with intensity, we played together, we did some good things. Coming together as a team, especially in the second half, made a big difference in the game today. Playing together, getting more practice, will help determine the outcome of the games.
On his play, Davis said, “I played alright today. I’m just trying to adjust to the minutes I’m getting, trying to adapt to this type of game and trying to have fun out there. I’m use to playing a lot, use to getting the ball, but I’m trying to keep positive. I want to go out and play my best when I get in and try to enjoy all of this.”
The USA team goes for its third straight win before a one-day break in the tournament when it plays Puerto Rico on Sunday. The competition, being conducted at two sites in Argentina, runs through Aug. 14.