USA ROLLS IN OPENER
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Paris, France - USA East Coast used a 17-2 third period run to defeat a talented Paris AMW All Star team 90-72.
Game Quick Facts:
- Each member of the East Coast roster scored in the contest.
- Syracuse's Kaleb Joseph led all scorers with 23 points
- Iowa's Dom Uhl had 14 points and 6 rebounds, including 5 unanswered points and a key offensive rebound and put back, stopping a fourth quarter Parisian run
- Notre Dame's VJ Beachem was the only player to have a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Despite his ability to shoot, Beachem showed his versatility with two assists off of dribble penetration in the second half
- Maryland's Jared Nickens got into quick foul trouble and did not find his rythym until the middle of the second half, he finished with 8 points
- Arkansas' Dusty Hannahs provided the offensive firepower necessary for East Coast to win tonight. With 17 points, 11 in the second half, Hannahs broke the opponents chance at a comeback by draining back-to-back deep threes against a desperation zone late
- South Carolina's Marcus Stroman led the team in assists (7) and steals (4). Stroman's strong frame and ability to absorb contact on penetration was a key to the team's low turnovers
- Columbia's Isaac Cohen did a little of everything and finished the night second in assists (4). His Lion teammate Conor Voss came to play, leading the team in rebounds (13) and blocks (3).
- Lycoming's Chris Wallace was plagued with foul trouble but managed to get on the board with a layup off of a steal early in the third period before fouling out in the fourth.
Next up USA will face the Nigerian National team, a talented group of pro and college athletes preparing for the upcoming African Championships. Syracuse's Mike Gbinije is a member of the Nigerian roster. Gbinije and Kaleb Joseph are not only current Syracuse teammates, but USA East Coast members. Gbinije was part of a 2013 East Coast roster along with the NBA's Russ Smith (Vancouver Grizzlies) and Rakeem Christmas (Indiana Pacers). Tip-off tomorrow night is set for 7:30PM (1:30EST).
FINAL GAME STATISTICS
Joseph - 24 min, 23 pts, 3 rbs, 3 ast, 1 stl
Stroman - 21 min, 4 pts, 6 rbs, 7 ast, 4 stl
Hannahs - 22 min, 17 pts, 2 rbs
Cohen - 22 min, 5 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl
Wallace - 20 min, 2 pts, 1 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl
Nickens - 22 min, 8 pts, 1 blk, 2 stl
Uhl - 24 min, 14 pts, 6 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk, 2 stl
Beachem - 23 min, 11 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk
Voss - 22 min, 6 pts, 13 reb, 3 blk, 3 stl
