2012 FIBA U17 World Championships Quarterfinals

Tyus Jones led Team USA past Canada and into
the World U17 Final Four.

Croatia needed time but eventually steamrolled past Czech Republic 94-71 in the quarterfinals of the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship to set up a Semis date with Australia.

Domagoj Bosnjak collected 21 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists, while Mario Hezonja scored 18 points and Karlo Zganec hit for 19 points as Croatia remained undefeated in Kaunas.

The Czechs, U16 European silver medalists last summer, will face Argentina in the 5-8 Classification Games. They were led by Martin Peterka’s 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Jiri Dedek had 16 points.

Australia used a 17-0 fourth quarter run to grab a 78-59 victory over Argentina to reach the final four.

Dante Exum paced the Australians with 23 points, while Ben Simmons scored all 12 of his points in the fourth quarter to go along with 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

The difference in the game was the Argentineans committing 20 turnovers and Australia winning the rebound battle, 40-26.

Argentina big man Gabriel Deck scored 19 points while Alvaro Merlo hit for 14. The South Americans now can best finish fifth.

Five players scored in double figures as reigning champions United States cruised past Canada 113-59 to reach the semifinals.

Tyus Jones led the way with 22 points, Justise Winslow had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Joel Berry scored 15 points for the Americans, who have won their six games thus far by an average of 43.2 points.

Coach Don Showalter's USA outrebounded Canada, 59-36, and forced 22 turnovers with their high-pressure defense. Team USA will face Spain next.

Canada were led by 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals from Justin Jackson, while Tyrell Bellot-Green added 12 points. Canada will play against China in the 5-8 classification games.

Ilimane Diop collected 26 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks as Spain nailed a solid quarterfinals victory over China, 64-57.

Spain – playing without suspended leader Agusti Sans – held China scoreless for 5:24 in a 9-0 fourth quarter run to take control of the game. Alberto Martin added 14 points for Spain while Jose Nogues had 6 points and 12 rebounds.

Zhou Qi collected 20 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks, while Zhao Jiwei had 16 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals, but it was not enough for the Chinese.