Team USA defeated Serbia, 129-92 in the gold medal game of the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
Serbia challenged early and showed poise and confidence that brought them to the championship round leading 15-7 in the early part of the first quarter. That was the motivation the Americans needed as they finished the opening quarter on a 28-6 run to lead 35-21 at the end of the period led by Kyrie Irving's hot shooting. Team USA continued the romp in the next quarter outscoring Serbia, 32-20 in the second canto.
The Cleveland Cavaliers point guard hit 3-of-3 from behind the arc in this stretch and finished with 18 points after the first half, which the Americans led, 67-41.
The USA attack did not stop there. The game was virtually over after another dominating third quarter, when they scored 38 points passing the century mark in scoring even before the payoff period began.
Irving scored 26 points to top-score for the Americans, which also got contributions from James Harden (23 points), DeMarcus Cousins (11 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocked shots) and Kenneth Faried (11 points and 7 rebounds).
This is the fifth basketball world championship for Team USA with wins in 1954 (Brazil), 1986 (Spain), 1994 (Canada) and 2010 (Turkey).
Check the slideshow to see images from the Serbia vs. USA championship game in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Serbia's Milos Teodosic (R) goes up for a basket over Anthony Davis of the U.S. during their Basketball World Cup final game in Madrid September 14, 2014. ReutersJames Harden of the U.S. (L) and Stefan Markovic of Serbia chase for a loose ball during their Basketball World Cup final game in Madrid September 14, 2014. ReutersRudy Gay of the U.S. (C, closest to basket) goes up for a basket during their Basketball World Cup final game against Serbia in Madrid September 14, 2014.ReutersRudy Gay of the U.S. (C, obscured) tries to block Nemanja Bjelica (L) of Serbia as Serbia's Nenad Krstic helps his teammate during their Basketball World Cup final game in Madrid September 14, 2014. ReutersKenneth Faried of the U.S. (L) and Miroslav Raduljica of Serbia fight for a rebound during their Basketball World Cup final game in Madrid September 14, 2014. ReutersSerbia's Miroslav Raduljica (L) goes for a basket past Klay Thompson the U.S. during their Basketball World Cup final game in Madrid September 14, 2014. ReutersSerbia's Miroslav Raduljica slam dunks against the U.S. during their Basketball World Cup final game in Madrid September 14, 2014.ReutersDeMarcus Cousins (R) of the U.S. grabs a rebound beside Serbia's Vladimir Stimac during their Basketball World Cup final game in Madrid September 14, 2014. ReutersDeMarcus Cousins (C) of the U.S. challenges for a rebound with Serbia's Miroslav Raduljica (L) and Bogdan Bogdanovic during their Basketball World Cup final game in Madrid September 14, 2014. ReutersKyrie Irving (L) of the U.S. goes up for a basket past Serbia's Nenad Krstic (C) and Stefan Bircevic during their Basketball World Cup final game in Madrid September 14, 2014.
ReutersJames Harden of the U.S. (C) shoots past Nikola Kalinic of Serbia (L) as Milos Teodosic of Serbia watches during their Basketball World Cup final game in Madrid September 14, 2014. ReutersDeMarcus Cousins (C) of the U.S. slams a dunk against Serbia during their Basketball World Cup final game in Madrid September 14, 2014. ReutersJames Harden (R) of the U.S. is fouled by Serbia's Rasko Katic during their Basketball World Cup final game in Madrid September 14, 2014. ReutersJames Harden (top) and DeMarcus Cousins of the U.S. celebrate winning their Basketball World Cup final game against Serbia in Madrid September 14, 2014. Reuters
