Northwest Notes July 5, 2021

Holmgren, USA romp past Ballo, Mali at FIBA U19 World Cup

RIGA, Latvia — Chet Holmgren, an incoming Gonzaga freshman, totaled 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks as the USA led wire to wire in a 100-52 victory over Mali on Sunday to improve to 2-0 at the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup.

Holmgren scored seven of the last eight points in the first half as Team USA opened up a 55-36 halftime lead.

For the second consecutive game, the USA was led by guard Jaden Ivey (Purdue) with 14 points, two rebounds and two steals. Kenneth Lofton Jr. (Louisiana Tech) added 14 points and Caleb Furst (Blackhawk Christian Academy/Fort Wayne, Ind.) recorded 14 points and six rebounds. Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Hamilton H.S./Sussex, Wis.) chipped in 11 points and a team-high-tying seven rebounds. Kennedy Chandler (Sunrise Christian Academy/Memphis, Tenn.) finished with 11 points.

Oumar Ballo, a former Zag who transferred to Arizona, had nine points, five rebounds and three assists for Mali (0-2).

The USA will conclude preliminary round play on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. PDT versus Australia (1-1), with the Round of 16 starting on Wednesday.

In the other games from day two, Canada (2-0) defeated Japan (0-2) 100-75, Lithuania (1-1) edged Senegal (1-1) 78-73, Argentina (2-0) pounded Korea (0-2) 112-74, Spain (1-1) nipped France (1-1) 60-59, Turkey (1-1) edged Australia (1-1) 64-62, host Latvia (1-1) held off Iran (0-2) 58-48 and Serbia (2-0) dodged Puerto Rico (1-1) 84-64.