Miller scores 10 points to help keep U.S. perfect

Mack chips in with five vs. Lithuania

Associated Press

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The United States and Australia stretched their unbeaten records to six games at the FIBA under-19 world basketball championships Wednesday, heading their pools and emerging as top qualifiers for the quarterfinals.

The United States shrugged off Lithuania 76-69, and Australia topped its six-team pool with a 79-74 win over previously unbeaten Croatia.

The United States will face neighbor Canada in Friday's quarterfinals, and Australia will meet France. Croatia will take on Puerto Rico, and Greece will face Argentina.

Tyshawn Taylor scored 13 points, and Clay Thompson and Darius Miller each scored 10 against Lithuania. Miller, who will be a sophomore at UK this season, also had a team-high three steals and the team's only two blocked shots of the game in just 15 minutes.

Former Bryan Station standout Shelvin Mack added five points and two rebounds.

The Americans led 18-16 in the first period before Lithuania rallied to tie it at 36-all heading into halftime.

Lithuania took a 43-40 lead before the United States pulled ahead 55-51 after the third quarter. The Americans made only 30 of 70 shots from the field.

U.S. 76, Lithuania 69

Lithuania (3-3) — Bendzius 10-17 1-3 21; Motiejunas 3-6 6-8 12; Redikas 4-9 2-2 11; Cizauskas 4-6 0-0 8; Drungilas 3-6 0-1 6; Sapiega 2-3 0-0 5; Orelik 1-11 1-2 4; Bertasius 1-1 0-0 1; Jukonis 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-59 10-16 69.

United states (6-0) — Taylor 6-13 1-2 13; Thompson 4-9 0-1 10; Miller 5-7 0-0 10; Shurna 4-5 0-0 9; Gibbs 2-9 3-4 8; Curry 2-3 1-2 6; Hayward 2-7 1-2 5; Thompkins 1-6 3-4 5; Mack 2-5 0-1 5; White 1-3 0-0 3; Moultrie 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 30-70 9-16 76.

Lithuania 16 20 15 18—69

United States 18 18 20 20—76

Three-point goals—Lithuania 3-13 (Sapiega 1-2, Redikas 1-3, Orelik 1-6, Motiejunas 0-1, Cizauskas 0-1); United States 7-22 (Thompson 2-3, Shurna 1-1, Curry 1-2, Mack 1-2, White 1-3, Gibbs 1-4, Taylor 0-1, Miller 0-2, Hayward 0-4). Total fouls—Lithuania 18, United States 19. Rebounds—Lithuania 45 (Bendzius 12); United States 31 (Hayward 8). Fouled out—none. Assists—Lithuania 15 (Cizauskas 5); United States 10 (Taylor 4). A—n/a.