Capel Coaches USA to Opening Round Romp

June 26, 2010

NORMAN, Okla. - University of Oklahoma head men's basketball coach Jeff Capel directed his USA squad to a 131-63 rout of the Virgin Islands in the opening round of the FIBA Americas Men's U18 Championship Saturday night in San Antonio, Texas.

Capel, serving as the U.S. head coach, watched his team shoot 54 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3-point range (11-for-25) at Bill Greehey Arena on the campus of St. Mary's University. It held the Virgin Islands to a 29 percent field goal mark and posted a 65-26 rebounding advantage.

"I thought we did some good things tonight," said Capel. "It was good to get everyone some meaningful minutes. I thought we played with energy and a sense of urgency."

The U.S. team got off to a quick start, leading 35-8 after the first quarter. It outscored the Virgin Islands 27-20 in the second quarter, 33-20 in the third and 36-15 in the fourth to join Argentina atop Group B with a 1-0 record. Elsewhere in Group B play, Argentina, the defending U18 Championship gold medalist, handled Mexico 78-53 earlier in the day.

In Group A action, Canada beat Uruguay 76-52 and Brazil topped Puerto Rico 78-53.

Capel's squad is back in action Sunday against Mexico at 7 p.m. CT and will close preliminary play Monday against Argentina, also at 7 p.m. The semifinals and final will be played Tuesday and Wednesday. All games are being streamed live online at www.fibaamericas.com.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Capel Coaches USA to Opening Round Romp

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