WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue junior Robbie Hummel had a game-high 10 rebounds as the USA Men’s World University Games Team (5-0) breezed past Bulgaria (3-2) 96-66 in Belgrade, Serbia, on Thursday. With the win the USA remains undefeated for the tournament and has earned a berth in the medal semifinal round.
Robbie Hummel had 10 rebounds in the USA win over Bulgaria.
Hummel’s rebound total against the Bulgarians was the highest for any American at the WUG and he added seven points, four assists and a steal.
The United States took advantage of 16 3-pointers and saw all 12 players chip in on the scoring, including five players in double figures, as it raced out to a 24-9 lead after the first quarter and coasted to the 30-point win.
Five players scored in double digits, led by 15 points from Quincy Pondexter (Washington / Fresno, Calif.). James Anderson (Oklahoma State / Junction City, Ark.), Butler and Lazar Hayward (Marquette / Buffalo, N.Y.) pitched in 12 points each and Battle added 11. Additionally, Robbie Hummel (Purdue / Valparaiso, Ind.) grabbed a game-best 10 rebounds to go with seven points and four assists, and Corey Fisher (Villanova / Bronx, N.Y.) passed off a game-high five assists and scored six points.
The Bulgarians shot just 35.5 percent from the field (27-of-76), including only 2-of-18 from 3-point range.
The USA, which can finish no worse than fourth at the WUG, will take on Russia (5-1) on Friday at 2 p.m. ET in the medal semifinals. The winner of that contest will advance to the gold medal game on July 11 at 3 p.m. ET, while the loser will vie for the bronze at noon on Saturday. Israel (6-0) and Serbia (4-1) make up the other two countries advancing to the semifinals.
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