After losing to host Serbia a little more than a week ago in a tune-up for the World University Games, Team USA has been on a roll.
The American team, comprised of some of the best college players in the country, showed just how far it had come on Tuesday with a gutsy, 68-66 victory over Serbia in the final game of pool play in Belgrade, Serbia.
Penn State junior Talor Battle led the way with 17 points, including a key 3-pointer with fewer than three minutes remaining that gave the Americans a 64-62 lead. Purdue junior Robbie Hummel, a Valparaiso High School graduate, had four points and five rebounds in 21 minutes of action.
"I would say this is the equivalent of winning a game on the road in the Big Ten against a ranked opponent," Hummel said via phone from Serbia. "It was a close game throughout. The crowd was crazy. It was just a great environment."
On a team full of all-stars, Battle continued to shine, averaging a team-high 10.8 points through four games. Da'Sean Butler (West Virginia) had 12 points and five rebounds and Corey Fisher (Villanova) added eight points.
"It really was a team win tonight," Hummel said. "Everyone that played contributed in a big way and there were a number of guys who made some big plays down the stretch."
Serbia knocked off Team USA 98-82 on June 28 during the Serbia International Invitational. Tuesday's game was the first tough test for the Americans in the World University Games.
"A lot of their players have played professionally and they have a lot of experience playing in Spain and all over the world," Hummel said. "They are very big, a very good team."
While Tuesday's win might have quenched the thirst for revenge for Hummel and his teammates, the two teams will likely meet in Saturday's game with a gold medal on the line. Team USA will face Bulgaria on Thursday and then the winner of Russia-Lithuania on Friday. Serbia plays Turkey on Thursday and then the winner of Germany-Israel on Friday.
"If we can win the next two, then it will set up a heck of scene in the championship match on Saturday," Hummel said.
In New Zealand, Australia improved to 5-0 at the U-19 World Championships with a 76-65 victory over Argentina. Valparaiso University freshman Ryan Broekhoff had three points and five rebounds in the victory. Team USA is also 5-0 in pool play and the two teams appear to be poised to meet in the championship this Sunday.
