HAGEN, Germany – Another dominant performance by Team USA, represented by Baylor men's basketball, was shown in Germany in the quarterfinals of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games against Team Finland with USA taking the win, 102-83.
The quartet of
Obi Agbim (23),
Cameron Carr (21),
Isaac Williams IV (19) and
Dan Skillings Jr. (18) once again led the way, making up for 79-percent of the scoring in Team USA'a triple-point performance.
The Wyoming-transfer of Agbim went hot from behind the arc, making 7-of-11 threes. Williams, a transfer from TAMU Corpus-Christi, shot 9-for-11 from the field, going nearly perfect and not missing a basket until the final minutes of the game.
As a team, USA has never let its opponent lead through its four games. Team USA is averaging an impressive 95.5 points per game while holding its opponents to an average of 69.3. Additionally, USA is shooting 53-percent from the field while stiffing its opponents under 50-percent at 42.
Team USA will look to continue its hot streak in the semifinals against Team Lithuania on Thursday, July 24, in Essen, Germany at Grugahalle for the opportunity to play for a gold or silver medal in the finals. Game time will be either 5:30 pm (10:30 am CT) or 8 pm (1 pm CT).
THE RUNDOWN
Caden Powell put the first points on the board, but Team USA began the quarterfinals with a slower start compared to previous games. The first three on the night came from Agbim, something that has become almost a habit through the tournament thus far, to give Team USA some momentum. After the first five minutes, six different members of Team USA had points on the board.
An impressive shot nailed by Carr from near the logo at the buzzer gave USA a boost to end the first quarter with a 26-19 lead over Team Finland.
Team USA kept the pressure on in the second quarter with Agbim and Carr both presenting a heavy charge for the scoring. In just 11 minutes of playing, Carr racked up 17 points and Agbim with 14. Carr once again ended the quarter with a bang with a driving slam dunk at the buzzer to put USA up big with a 17-point lead, 58-41.
Williams had a solid first half, going four-for-four from the field with an assist and steal. Overall, USA out-rebounded Finland on the glass offensively by eight boards and went 20-2 in second chance points after the first 20 minutes.
With some foul trouble on USA's two bigs in Samson Aletan and Powell, Finland took advantage and began chipping away at the deficit. However, Williams and Agbim responded quick with four clutch baskets, two from the paint for Williams and two from the arc for Agbim, to give USA back its cushion at 84-64 at the end of the third.
A free throw made by Powell pushed Team USA over the 100-point mark and cleared the benches as all 10 Team USA members saw playing time for the second game in a row. USA finished Finland with its dominant 102-83 win to advance to the semifinals.
WHAT'S NEXT
Team USA will play in the semifinals against Team Lithuania on Thursday, July 24, in Essen, Germany at Grugahalle. The winners will have the opportunity to play for a gold or silver medal in the finals. The loser will play for bronze. Game time is still to be announced. Fans can follow along on
FISU.tv or
Baylor Radio.