USA Defeats Cuba 100-79 to Open AmeriCup Qualifying

23 February 2024

USA 100, CUBA 79

The USA opened 2025 FIBA Men’s AmeriCup Qualifying with a 100-79 win vs. Cuba at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida on Thursday night.

Today’s matchup was the 33rd all-time between USA Basketball and Cuba. The USA improves to 32-1 against Cuba. The last meeting of the senior teams was an 87-64 win during 2022 FIBA Men's World Cup Qualifying.

View the USA-Cuba box score here.

TEAM NOTES

For Starters: The U.S. started Matthew Hurt, Jayce Johnson, Stanley Johnson, Elfrid Payton and Jahmi’us Ramsey.

Makin' Their Debut: Three players made their USA Basketball competitive debuts on Thursday night. Ramsey led the U.S. with 20 points (8-14 FG, 3-5 3FG, 1-2 FT), while J. Johnson and Raiquan Gray scored eight points (4-8 FG) and six points (2-4 FG, 2-4 FT), respectively. It also marked the coaching debut and first USA win for head coach Jerome Allen.

Breaking it Open: After a nip and tuck affair through the first five minutes of the game, the United States used a 26-6 run to open a 41-18 lead midway through the second quarter. Cuba pulled the margin to within seven points in the third quarter, but the U.S. went on a 20-4 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Justin Wright-Foreman with seven minutes remaining to put the USA up 83-67.

A Team Effort: All 12 USA players got into the scoring column when Will Davis, who ended the game with six points (3-5 FG), scored with 5:08 left in the game. The U.S. notched 30 assists on its 40 baskets and outscored Cuba from the bench, 52-14.

Defense from Deep: The USA limited Cuba to just 25.9% shooting (7-27, 3FG) from behind the arc.

PLAYER NOTES

Double-digits: The USA tallied three double-digit scorers. Ramsey led the way with 20, followed by Dusty Hannahs with 19 (7-10 FG, 4-5 3FG) and Matthew Hurt with 13 (5-9 FG, 3-6 3FG).

Leader on the Boards: Elfrid Payton and J. Johnson led the USA on the boards with 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively. As a team, the Americans outrebounded the Cubans 54-35.