Team USA routs Romania to improve to 4-0 in pool play
Analysis ($): Purdue-Romania | On-site observations
Purdue's most recent World University Games win was its most impressive and complete yet.
Behind some hot early shooting from Dakota Mathias and some continued strong play from freshman Sasha Stefanovic and others, Purdue, as Team USA, blew out Romania 116-62 early Thursday morning, improving to 4-0 in pool play heading into its finale vs. Estonia.
The Boilermakers finished having made 19-of-40 three-pointers.
"We were just sharing the ball, a lot of quick movement, a lot of screening," Stefanovic said. "It was a lot of open lanes for drives and kicks and wide-open shots. Fortunately, today we knocked them down."
Stefanovic led Purdue with 17 points.
Ryan Cline scored 15 on five threes, with Mathias, Carsen Edwards and Vincent Edwards adding 14 apiece.
"We got Isaac (Haas) going early and then that opened up some things from the perimeter," assistant coach Greg Gary said of Purdue's offensive surge to start the game. "We got some (threes) in transition, some off sets and some off kickouts. It was a number of ways we got shots."
Purdue dominated the second quarter — an issue in the Games and associated events prior — by a score of 36-11, playing with a robust lead.
"No matter who you play against," Gary said, "it's good to be able to eliminate some of those bad runs we had the first few games. That was a positive."
Grady Eifert scored 10 with six rebounds.
Purdue meets Estonia at 12:30 a.m. ET Friday morning.
"I think we're really playing well together, starting to come together defensively and learning the offense better," Stefanovic said. "I think we're playing really well right now."
With the win, Purdue guaranteed itself a spot in the medal round, those spots going to the the top two finishers in each pool. Worst case scenario, Purdue would finish in a tie for first with Estonia in Pool C.
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