US hammer Italy, book spot in FIBA Basketball World Cup semis

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – The US thrashed Italy 100-63 in a Tuesday FIBA Basketball World Cup game to reach the tournament semifinals.

American forward Mikal Bridges, who plays for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA, scored 24 points for his nation to be the key player for the victory against Italy in the quarterfinals.

Team USA had a comfortable win at Manila's Mall of Asia Arena as they scored 46 points before halftime to enjoy a 22-point lead, giving them control the game.

Tyrese Haliburton racked up 18 points for the US, and the Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves added 12.

Italy were led by Simone Fontecchio, who scored 18 points.

Stefano Tonut, an Italy guard, scored 11 points.

Fontecchio and Tonut were the only Italy players to score in the double digits.

In the semifinal on Friday in Manila, the US will face either Germany or Latvia.

Earlier Tuesday, the Bogdan Bogdanovic-led Serbia beat Lithuania 87-68 to reach the semifinal stage.

On Wednesday, the quarterfinals will end in Manila with the remaining two matches: Germany versus Latvia and Canada against Slovenia.

Co-hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, the Basketball World Cup's final is set for Sunday.