Team USA routs Peru
Matthew Scott scored a game-high 22 points to lead the top-ranked United States men’s wheelchair basketball team a 114-14 men’s Group B victory over tournament host Peru at the 2019 Parapan American Games on Sunday.
Scott scored 11 points in each half and made 8-of-9 shots, including one of two three pointers.
Team USA led 64-7 at halftime, shooting an uncanny 78 percent (28-of-37) from the field and 100 percent (2-of-2) from 3-point range. Compare that to Peru, which shot 13 percent from the field and went 0-of-12 from 3-point range in the first half.
“The game plan for today was to play the best brand of basketball that we know how,” Scott said. “We never change our game plan, we just try to play the best brand of USA Basketball possible.”
U.S. team captain Steve Serio added five points and eight assists and liked their defense.
“I think our defense is built on intensity and communication. We did two of those things really well,” Serio said. “Peru is a good team, and we wanted to come out there, and play our style and we accomplished that today.”
Team USA has won each of its first two games by more than 70 points. Team USA played Brazil today (Aug. 26).
“Brazil is one of those teams that could win the tournament, and three teams on the other side that can win, and a fourth team, Mexico is pretty good,” Team USA coach Ron Lykins said.