Canada struggled from the floor early and could not rebound after a quick start from Team USA. Canada did not get its first field goal until the 2:58 mark of the first quarter when Kenny Fred-Cherry (Montreal) hit a jumper along the baseline. After a competitive second frame, Team USA held a 68-39 lead at halftime. Canada's Kyle Wiltjer (West Linn, Ore.), who has had a very productive tournament, faced constant pressure and was held to only two points at halftime.
"Tonight was the tough part of team development because we had to find a teachable moment in a big loss," said Head Coach Greg Francis. "I look forward to seeing what we're made of tomorrow in an important game for our team."
With the loss, Canada is focused on bouncing back against 2008's gold medal winner, Argentina, in the bronze medal game. Canada just misses out on playing for gold and for the second straight time in this event, as they finished with bronze in 2008.
Against the USA, Canada shot 42 per cent from the field, included a fourth-quarter offensive boost when Kemy Osse (Montreal) and Julian Clarke (Toronto) knocked down consecutive three-pointers.
Overshadowed by Rivers was an equally impressive game from Canada's Myck Kabongo (Toronto), who had his strongest performance as he led Canada with 32 points. Kabongo just missed posting his third straight double-double, finishing with nine assists and seven rebounds. Kabonga has played an inspriring tournament, leading Canada in scoring the past two games and continuously motivating his teammates on the floor. He played a game-high 36 minutes.
Sim Bhullar (Toronto) also had a strong game for Canada off the bench, scoring 14 points and showed flashes of dominance in the paint throughout the game.
"We played hard," said Bhullar. "We tried to play our hardest, but the game wasn't going our way. USA is a good team and they hit shots that we should have contested. We have a big game tomorrow and we have to win."
Rivers' 25 points broke the record previously held by former NBA palyer Calbert Cheaney, currently an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. Rivers, son of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, also set a FIBA Americas U18 record by shooting nine three-pointers in the game (the previous record was 5). As a team, the USA set a record for most three-pointers in a game with 14 (the previous record was 11).
