MANILA – Team USA took a shocking fall on Friday night after dropping a 113-111 decision to Germany in their semifinal showdown in front of 11,011 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Germany turned the tides in the third quarter, outscoring Team USA, 35-24, to open a 94-84 lead entering the fourth.
Germany would keep a lead as high as 12 in the early goings of the fourth, but Team USA slowly crawled back and cut the lead to just one, 108-107, with 1:35 remaining.
The majority of the crowd suddenly cheered on Team USA mainly due to Austin Reaves, who has become a crowd favorite, sparking their comeback.
However, step-back jumpers from Andreas Obst from three-point range and Dennis Schroder from midrange eventually sealed the deal for Germany.
Reaves converted back-to-back baskets that cut the lead down to two, but only 0.5 seconds were left on the clock, virtually making it impossible for Team USA to complete the comeback.
Obst finished with 24 points, six assists, and one steal, Franz Wagner added 22 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal, and Daniel Theis put up 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal for Germany, which will go up against Serbia in the finals at 8:40 p.m. Sunday.
Anthony Edwards made 23 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block for Team USA, whose showdown with Canada for the bronze is at 4:30 p.m. in the Sunday opener. (PNA)
