Norris Cole Hits Game Winner Against Puerto Rico to Punch USA's Ticket to AmeriCup Semifinal

08 September 2022

USA 85, PUR 84

The USA AmeriCup Team defeated Puerto Rico, 85-84, today to advance to the semifinals at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup at Geraldo Arena in Recife, Brazil. This year marks the 10th time the USA has competed at the FIBA AmeriCup.

The U.S. trailed for the first 19 minutes of the game. With just under five minutes to play in the second quarter, Puerto Rico led by 10 (39-29) and were holding the USA at bay before a 13-2 run from the Americans gave the team their first lead of the game (42-41).

The third quarter was tightly contested, but the U.S. was able to take a 64-60 lead into the final frame and hold off Puerto Rico before the final 30 seconds, when their opponents tied the game at the free throw line, 82-82. After Norris Cole gave the Americans a one-point lead with under 10 seconds remaining, Tremont Waters took it back with a layup, putting the U.S. down one (83-84) with six seconds remaining. Fueled by his missed opportunity at the free throw line seconds before, Cole went on to hit the game-winning layup for the USA and punch their ticket to the semifinals.

The full game box score is available here.

TEAM NOTES

Close Second Half: The game was tied, 42-42, entering the third quarter, and the U.S. and Puerto Rico went on to trade leads four times throughout the third frame. The two teams would trade the lead one more time in the waining seconds of the matchup before the U.S. went on to capture the win. Neither team led by more than six through the final two quarters.

Revered Reserves: The U.S. outscored Puerto Rico's bench, 44-31. Jeremy Pargo (15) helped lead the charge for the reserves' scoring output, finishing as the leading scorer off the pine.

Free Throws: The U.S. outscored Puerto Rico at the free throw line, 15-13. The U.S. shot 68.2% (15-22) while Puerto Rico converted on 72.2% (13-18) of their free throw attempts.

PLAYER NOTES

Cole World: After being held to zero points in the first half, Cole erupted in the second to finish with with a team-high 20 points (8-11 FG, 3-4 3FG, 1-2 FT). The U.S. guard now ranks second in 3-point shooting (55.6%) and second in field goal percentage amongst guards (53.6%) behind Brazil's Yago Santos.

Oh Captain, My Captain: Pargo finished with 15 points (6-14 FG, 3-8 3FG), three rebounds, five assists and one steal. He has logged 10+ points in three of four games thus far at the AmeriCup.

First to 10: Two U.S. players finished in double figures for their first time at the AmeriCup. Zylan Cheatham finished with 11 points (3-3 FG, 5-6 FT), five rebounds, two assists and a team-high-tying two blocks through 18 minutes. Stephen Zimmerman logged 10 points (3-4 FG, 4-7 FT), six rebounds and two assists through 22 minutes.

Lead Role: Gary Clark led the team in rebounding and assists, finishing with seven boards and six helpers to go along with five points. Clark has led the team in rebounding in three of their four games thus far.