Day 3 of the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championships

Han Delong and the Chinese surprised the French to
nail their first win in the U17 Championships.

Reigning champions United States survived a sputtering start to roll past Egypt and remain undefeated at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championships, while China surprised France and Australia knocked off Czech Republic in Group A action.

The Americans had an 11-2 lead, but then could not shake an inspired Egyptian team, which actually led 30-27 before the Americans turned up their defensive pressure for a 111-73 victory.

Conner Frankamp and Jabari Parker both tallied 18 points and three other USA players scored in double figures as the Americans forced 26 turnovers.

“We came out sluggish, a little nonchalant after seeing we didn’t have much competition out there in previous games. We came out and didn’t play as hard as we needed to,” said Parker, whose team moved to 3-0 atop Group A.

Egypt dropped to 0-3 despite 13 points and 5 blocks from Moataz Hosny, while Walid Aly chipped in 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

China improved to 2-1 by knocking off France, 59-53, led by Zhao Jiwei, who collected 12 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals and didn't have a single turnover. Han Delong chipped in with 20 points and Zhou Qi added 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

France dropped to 1-2 and will face a tough time to qualify for the Quarterfinals despite 10 points each from Arthur Rozenfeld, Damien Inglis and Petr Cornelie.

Australia also moved their record to 2-1 with a tough 63-58 victory over the Czech Republic with Ben Simmons leading the way with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals.

The Czechs dropped to 1-2 despite 18 points from Adam Pechacek and 16 each from Jiri Soula and Martin Peterka.

After an off day on Monday, Group A action resumes on Tuesday with China taking on Czech Republic, before Australia faces off against Egypt and the United States puts its perfect record on the line in a clash with France.

Benjamin Simmons was a dominant force as Australia
beat the Czech Republic for win #2.

Conner Frankamp drives strong to the hole as
Team USA rolls past the Egyptians.

Croatia remained undefeated at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship with a dominating performance over Korea, while Spain outlasted host side Lithuania, and Canada beat Argentina in Group B action.

Croatia used its massive size advantage in blasting Korea, 124-68, as the low post trio of Tomislav Gabric (21 points, 15 rebounds and 1 assist), Karlo Zganec (18, 12, 5) and Marko Arapovic (20, 6, 3) combined for 59 points, 33 rebounds and 9 assists.

Four more players scored in double figures as Croatia improve to 3-0 atop Group A.

Korea dropped to 0-3 despite 12 points from An Young Jun and 10 from Kim Nak Hyeon. Heo Hoon was held to just 5 points after scoring 37 points in Korea’s heart-breaking overtime loss against Lithuania a day earlier.

Lithuania, meanwhile, played their third overtime game in three contests and dropped to 1-2 in falling 91-83 to Spain, who improved to 2-1.

Agusti Sans poured in 24 points with 5 assists for Spain and Alberto Martin collected 13 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals.

Lithuania was led by Ernestas Serkevicius with 21 points and four other players scored in double figures. The hosts, however, admitted afterwards that they were tired from going into overtime the previous two evenings.

“Someone must be sending these challenges for us. Three games, three overtimes. We didn’t have enough left in the tank in the overtime. The guys left their hearts on the court,” said Lithuania coach Paulius Juodis.

“We have plenty of space to improve, as we’re young and inexperienced. Situations like this make you stronger. I’m sure a lot of these players will have successful careers in the future.”

Canada also improved to 2-1 with a hard-fought 80-76 victory over Argentina as Kevin Zabo scored 18 points, while Marial Shayok added 15 points and Justin Jackson hit for 14 in the victory.

Canadian Patrick Steeves nailed a big three with 53 seconds left and then made one foul shot with 3.8 seconds left to make it 78-76. He missed the second, but Shayok got the offensive rebound and put-back to decide the game.

Argentina dropped to 1-2 despite 19 points and 10 rebounds from Gabriel Deck. while Alvaro Merlo added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

After a day off on Monday, Group B play continues with Spain playing Canada, Argentina squaring off with Korea, and the Lithuania battling Croatia.