Team USA defeats Puerto Rico 103-70 in FIBA Americas U18 opener

VALDIVIA, Chile — University of Texas freshman Jarrett Allen posted 18 points and eight rebounds to help Team USA (1-0) to a 103-70 victory against Puerto Rico (0-1) in the opening game of the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship on Tuesday afternoon. Allen, who started the game, converted 9-of-15 field goals and added one assist, one block and one steal in 21 minutes.

UT freshman James Banks recorded four points on a pair of emphatic dunks, four rebounds and one blocked shot in nine minutes. Texas coach Shaka Smart is serving as head coach for the USA team.

"I thought our guys played with really good energy," Smart said. "We had typical first-game jitters – a lot of execution mistakes and some defensive breakdowns from a lack of communication, but the energy was really good. And I thought as the game went on, our guys really settled in and played together."

The Americans return to the court against the U.S. Virgin Islands at 2:45 p.m. Central on Wednesday, July 20. Team USA will then conclude preliminary round Group B play against host Chile on Thursday, July 21 at 7:15 p.m. Central.

The top two teams from each preliminary round group will advance to the semifinals on Friday, July 22. On Saturday, July 23, the semifinal winners will meet in the gold medal game, and the semifinal losers will play in the bronze medal game.

In addition to pursuing a gold medal, the top four finishing teams will earn a qualifying berth in the 2017 FIBA U19 World Championship. All games during the FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men will be streamed live on FIBA's youTube channel: www.youTube.com/FIBA. Please follow The University of Texas' Men's Basketball official Twitter page (@TexasMBB) for links to live video and live stats throughout the tournament.

2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship Results (Team USA schedule only)

Tuesday, July 19

USA 103, Puerto Rico 70

2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship Upcoming Schedule (Team USA schedule only)

(all times Central, all games in Valdivia, Chile)

Wednesday, July 20

2:45 pm USA vs. U.S. Virgin Islands

Thursday, July 21

7:15 pm USA vs. Chile

Championship Round

Friday, July 22

Semifinals

Saturday, July 23

Finals

The University of Texas at Austin Athletics

Team USA defeats Puerto Rico 103-70 in FIBA Americas U18 opener