USA 79, DOM 87
The USA Basketball Men’s World Cup Qualifying Window 2 Team took the court tonight in Oceanside, California, for the first of two games in the window. The Dominican Republic (2-1) defeated the USA (2-1) 87-79 at Frontwave Arena. The USA will host Mexico (2-1) in the second game of the window on Sunday at 7:10 p.m. ET.
In November 2025, the first window of FIBA World Cup Qualifying concluded with the U.S. going 2-0 in two games vs. Nicaragua.
View the USA-Dominican Republic box score here.
POSTGAME NOTES
Fourth Quarter Flurry: After trailing by as many as 19 points in the latter stages of the third quarter, the U.S. closed the gap in the fourth quarter to outscore Dominican Republic 26-17 in the frame. With 3:48 to go, following a Brandon Knight 3-pointer, the U.S. was within nine at 77-68. The U.S. got as close as four, 81-77, in the game’s final minute.
In the Red, White and Blue: In the start tonight, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and James Wiseman made their USA Basketball senior debuts. They were joined in the starting line up by David Roddy, who played his first game ever with USA, and Knight and Jaden Shackelford, both of whom were part of the first qualifying window of this cycle in November 2025. Terry Taylor and Malcolm Hill, off the bench, also suited up for the U.S. for the first time in their careers.
Own the Arc: The U.S. outshot the Dominican Republic 11-3 from behind the 3-point line, going 11-of-27 (40.7%) from downtown in the contest. Knight led the USA with five 3-pointers.
Knight’s Night: Knight, in his second consecutive window with USA Basketball, was an offensive spark in the second half. After scoring three points on a 3-pointer in the first quarter, Knight went for 17 points after the break. He hit 5-of-9 3-pointers for the game, including four in the second half. Through three games in 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifying, Knight is averaging 21.0 points.
Under the current qualifying format, which dates back to the 2019 World Cup, USA Basketball has compiled a 21-5 record and has finished atop their respective group in both 2019 and 2023. The USA are winners of two of the last four FIBA World Cups (2010, 2014).
What's Next
FIBA Men’s World Cup Qualifying | USA vs. MEX |
March 1, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET | usab.com/tickets
March 1, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET | usab.com/tickets
A game recap will be published on usab.com.
Important Links: USA Basketball Media Information | USA Basketball Photo Portal