Team USA Falls to France in Semifinals of FIBA U19 World Cup, Will Play for Bronze

Any time the United States plays basketball internationally, gold is the expectation, but the best the Americans can do this weekend is bronze.

Team USA fell to France 89-86 in the semifinals of the FIBA U19 World Cup on Saturday in Hungary. Incoming Oklahoma State freshman Eric Dailey Jr. didn’t reach double figures for the first time in the tournament, scoring seven points to go with three rebounds and an assist in 20 minutes on the floor.

Dailey did hit a pair of 3-pointers, something that should bring comfort to the Oklahoma State fanbase that saw the Cowboys shoot just 31% from deep last season.

Saturday’s game was tightly contested the whole way through with each team scoring 23 in the first quarter before the Americans took a 44-41 lead into halftime. As games draw out, the Americans’ depth usually shows through as they outlast teams, but that wasn’t the case Saturday. France outscored the United States 29-22 in the third, which proved to be too much to overcome.

The French shot 50% from 3 and forced Team USA into 16 turnovers.

The United States will play the loser of Spain and Turkey in Sunday’s bronze medal game.