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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gonzaga’s Mark Few suffers first defeat as U.S. head coach

TORONTO – Mark Few suffered his first defeat as head coach of the United States men’s basketball team as his rag-tag group of professionals and amateurs fell to Brazil 93-83 on Thursday.

Vitor Benite lead the Brazilians with 34 points, shooting 8 for 11 from 3-point range. Brazil shot 58-percent (15-26) form beyond the arc, compared to 35-percent (6-17) by the Americans.

Few, Gonzaga’s men’s basketball coach, got a team-high 17 points from Keith Langford, who plays for Unica Kazan in Russia. Bobby Brown (Dongguan Leopards, China) and Taurean Prince (Baylor) scored 16 each.

Brazil led 24-17 after the first quarter and used a strong third quarter to push a nine-point halftime advantage to 18 heading into the fourth.

Former Gonzaga center J.P. Batista added 13 points for Brazil.

The U.S. had already qualified for the semifinals with two wins to open the tournament. They will play Canada, which features GU forward Kyle Wiltjer, at 3 this afternoon for a spot in Saturday’s gold medal game.

Brazil will face the Dominican Republic in the other semi.