Brandon Ingram, Team USA Win Showcase Against Puerto Rico
Las Vegas, NV - The United States Men's Team started their tournament pursuit with a 117-74 victory over Puerto Rico on Monday night. The last time the tournament was held in 2019, the USA men's team placed seventh. This team looks to redeem itself with a better tournament showing, and Monday was a statement game proving that.
FIBA international rules basketball differ from the NBA. The quarters are ten minutes instead of twelve, and each player gets five fouls before fouling out. The game tends to be a quicker pace with an emphasis on passing, instead of isolation basketball.
Team USA started slowly in the first quarter before gaining their footing midway through the quarter. They went on a 12-2 run and took a 27-21 lead after the first. Brandon Ingram scored 5 five points and added a rebound and assist to his box score. Jaren Jackson, Jr lead the U.S. team in scoring with 8 points while grabbing five rebounds.
The Americans were cold from the three-point line in the first half, going 2/15 from beyond the arc. The cold shooting allowed Puerto Rico to get back in the game, only trailing by seven heading into the half. Ingram did not score in the quarter.
In the second half, the U.S. team flexed its muscle by pulling away from the Puerto Rican team. They outscored Puerto Rico 34-18 in the third quarter and caused 13 turnovers up to that point. Brandon Ingram had a highlight-blocked shot that led to an easy basket on the other end. Team USA's defense allowed their offense to run in transition for most of the second half.
The lead ballooned to over 30 points in the fourth quarter, and the Americans were in cruise control the rest of the way. Seven players score in double-figures, led by Anthony Edwards with 15 points. Ingram finished with eleven points on the evening with five rebounds and three assists.
Ingram's Pelican teammate Jose Alvarado did not play for the Puerto Rican team as he continues to heal his tibia and prepare for upcoming NBA season. Team USA now heads to Spain for a scrimmage against Slovenia and Spain. Their World Cup opener is on Aug. 26 against New Zealand.
