Aug. 12, 2007

Box Score

Bangkok, Thailand - The United States of America used a balanced scoring attack to defeat Turkey, 87-65, in men's basketball action at the World University Games.

Forward Adam Koch (Ashwaubenon, Wis.) led the way for Team USA with 20 points, while guard Jared Josten (Webster City, Iowa) added 19. Koch and Josten combined to make 17-of-22 shots from the field, including Koch connecting on 9-of-10. Eric Coleman (Maplewood, Minn.) scored 14 points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds, while Travis Brown (Richfield, Minn.) chipped in with 13 points. Turkey was led by Rifat Kaya who scored a game-high 22.

Team USA shot 56 percent from the floor for the game (34-for-61), and was 13-for-15 from the free throw line. Turkey shot 31 percent on field goals, including just 25 percent (9-for-36) on three-pointers. The United States also controlled the glass, outrebounding Turkey 34-23.

The United States led 26-16 after one quarter and held a 48-32 lead at halftime, as it shot 55 percent from the field in the first half. Josten scored 12 points before halftime, hitting 5-of-6 shots from the floor, including a pair of three-pointers. Coleman and Grant Stout (New Sharon, Iowa) each tallied eight points for Team USA in the opening half, while Koch and Brown chipped in with seven apiece. Turkey, which shot 32 percent from the floor overall prior to intermission and was just 5-for-17 from three-point range, was led by Kaya who had 11 points.

Turkey went on an 11-4 run to start the second half to pull within nine (52-43), but that was as close as it would get. Koch and Josten were the offensive catalysts for the United States, as they combined for 16 of Team USA's 18 points in the third quarter. The United States took a 66-54 lead into the fourth quarter and outscored Turkey 21-11 in the final period to earn the win.

This was the first game in the second phase of play for Team USA, and its overall record improves to 2-1 in the tournament. Team USA final game in the second phase will be tomorrow (Aug. 13), when it faces China at 1:30 am (Iowa time). The United States' next opponent will be determined after that game, based on results from the tournament.

Representing Team USA at the World University Games this summer is the University of Northern Iowa of the Missouri Valley Conference, under the direction of second-year head coach Ben Jacobson.

For results from the World University Games, go to www.bangkok2007.com.