Guards Christopher Duhon and Troy Bell sank 11 three-pointers and combined for 43 points Sunday as the United States held off a stubborn Croatian squad to win the under-21 men's basketball World Championship final, 89-80.
Duhon had 19 points and 14 assists as the U.S. improved its field goal percentage to 46 percent in the second half after hitting only 37 percent of its shots in the first two quarters to trail 47-42 at the intermission at Saitama Super Arena.
The U.S. stormed back in the third period behind some steady three-point shooting and tight defensive play to outscore the Croatians 27-12 and then cruise home for the win.
The U.S. earned its second gold medal of the competition after winning the inaugural title in 1993 in Spain. Earlier, Argentina raced out to a 27-19 lead in the first quarter and then held on to defeat the Dominican Republic 87-82 to secure the bronze medal. In the game for fifth place, guard Carlos Cabezas netted 19 points and Bernardo Rodoriguez supported with seven assists to help Spain beat Slovenia 79-65.
In the game for seventh place, Afik Haim Nisim led with 13 points while Moshe Mizrahi, Yaniv Yakov Green, and Shahar Gordon each sank 10 points as Israel clinched a narrow victory over defending champion Australia 80-77.