Boxscores l Photo gallery

NOVI SAD (FIBA U19 World Championship) – The United States breezed to a 118-56 victory against Mali on the first day of the FIBA U19 World Championship.

Jerry Wainwright’s men reeled off the first 21 points of the game, with Mali not getting on the board until nearly seven minutes had been played.

The Africans got their chance when Amadou Kaba was fouled and went to the line to take two free throws.

He missed the first, but made the second to reduce the arrears to 21-1.

It would get worse, though.

The Americans went on another 12-0 run and finished the first quarter with a 34-5 lead.

There was no way back for Mali, who on this evidence will endure a very long tournament.

De Andre Jordan scored 20 points for the USA, with seven US players in all finishing in double figures.

Waly Coulibaly finished with a game-high 22 points for the Africans.

FIBA