Likekele, USA Top Lithuania, Advance to 2-0 in Groups

Through two games, the Americans haven’t been pushed too hard.

The United States defeated Lithuania 102-84 on Sunday in the U19 FIBA World Cup, making the Americans 2-0 in groups. Through their first two games, the Americans’ have defeated their opponents by a combined 59 points.

The U.S. will play Senegal at 8 a.m. (central time) Tuesday. Lithuania beat Senegal by 24 on Saturday, and Senegal is 0-2 in groups after falling to New Zealand 66-64 on Sunday.

As he was Saturday, OSU sophomore Isaac Likekele was the first American off Bruce Weber’s bench, and his defensive presence was felt early. In his first 20 seconds of action, Likekele poked the ball away from Lithuania’s Rokas Jokubaitis. Both hit the deck before Trevion Williams came away with the ball. Likekele got up, ran the floor and drew a foul on a layup attempt on the other end.

Likekele’s defensive performance might not show up as much on the stat sheet as his five-steal, one-block game against New Zealand on Saturday, but Likekele still had deflections aplenty.

Likekele finished the game with 11 points off 5-of-6 field-goal shooting to go with three rebounds and an assist. He was 5-for-5 on his attempts inside the 3-point line, with most of his buckets looking something like this.

Ice says ?#FIBAU19 #letswork pic.twitter.com/P0AJYaWrGd

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) June 30, 2019

OSU’s top 2020 target Cade Cunningham tied Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton for a game-high 21 points. Cunningham also had seven boards, four assists, two steals and a block. Cunningham especially took over late, scoring 13 of his points in the fourth quarter.

In a 111-71 victory against New Zealand on Saturday, Likekele led the U.S. with eight assists and five steals while also scoring nine points. His scoring was highlighted with a self-oop windmill layup.

Now @_Issaaac is just showing off. #FIBAU19 #letswork pic.twitter.com/z5tVgSUZve

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) June 29, 2019

It’s only a double dribble if it’s called.

Cunningham dropped 11 on the kiwis to go with four rebounds, three assists and a game-high three blocks. He also made friends with the highlight reel.

There's a lot to like about Montverde Academy's @CadeCunningham_ . At 6'7, he's got the quickness to blow by defenders off the bounce. Cunningham's combination of height and explosive athleticism is also rare amongst point guards #FIBAU19 pic.twitter.com/yA8rh788A1

— Chicco Nacion (@chicco_n) June 29, 2019

Through the USA’s first two games, Cunningham is averaging 16 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, two blocks and 1.5 steals per. Likekele has averaged 10 points, four rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals through the Americans’ first two.

The tournament has a built-in rest day scheduled Monday before the group stage concludes Tuesday. The tournament portion of the World Cup starts Wednesday, all leading to next Sunday’s final.