THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATHENS _ The United States led from start to finish Wednesday to defeat Greece 87-59 in its final warm-up before the world championship.
Guard Eric Gordon scored 18 points, nine in each half, for the Americans. Forward Costas Tsartsaris scored 24 points for Greece, 17 in the first half.
The young U.S. team, which contains none of the stars that won Olympic gold two years ago, disrupted the Greeks’ passing game to force them into 24 turnovers. The Americans also had 20 steals.
The U.S. led 42-32 at halftime and sealed the victory in the third quarter by scoring 28 points and limiting Greece to 12.
The worlds begin Saturday in Turkey and end Sept. 12. The Americans are looking to win it for the first time since 1994.
