15th Annual Douai U19 World Amateur Basketball Championships 2001
USA defeats France before a capacity crowd in Dourges
USA popular with fans
6/2/01- Dourges, France- The USA enjoyed their popularity with the fans and responded with an 80-72 victory over France. The USA was led by Camelo Anthony, who scored 18 points. Jawad Williams added 13 points, Billy Edlin and DeAngelo Alexander had 12, and David Paris had nine.
France was led by Cheickou Thioune who scored a game high 29 points. Judikael Ekindy scored 13 points, and Ousmane Konate added 10 points.
France led the USA, 18 to16 in the first quarter, behind the scoring punch of Judikael Ekindy who scored eight points in the quarter. But the USA took a 40-34 half-time lead on balanced scoring.
The USA held a 59-49 lead at the end of the third quarter, and cruised in for the victory.
The USA starts in first place in Pool B, with a 1-0 record. The USA plays defending champion Croatia tomorrow at 11:30 am. The USA has lost to Croatia, the past two years and are seeking their first win over the 2000 defending champion.
France is 0-1 in pool B, and plays Lithuania tomorrow at 10:00 am.