Under the direction of U. Oklahoma head coach Jeff Capel, the U.S. Men’s basketball team topped Brazil 81-78 to claim the gold medal in the FIBA Americas U18 Championship Wednesday night in San Antonio, Texas. With the win over Brazil, the U.S. qualified for the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship held next summer in Latvia.

After blowing out opponents through groups play, the U.S. team trailed most of the game until a late three-point shot in the fourth quarter from Quincy Miller (Quality Education Academy/Winston-Salem, N.C.) helped secure the win for the Americans.

Capel and his coaching staff were chosen to by the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Committee. Capel was joined by Paul Hewitt of Georgia Tech and Reggie Witherspoon of the University of Buffalo.

The U.S. improved to 38-2 in the event, winning its fifth gold medal (1990, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010). The Americans also have won silver (2008) and bronze (2002) medals.

Teams in the 2010 Tournament:

Argentina

Brazil

Canada

Mexico

Puerto Rico

United States

Uruguay

Virgin Islands

U.S. Road To Gold Medal

U.S. versus Virgin Islands:

In the opening round of group play, the U.S. dominated against the Virgin Islands with a 131-63 blowout against the Virgin Islands team on June 26. The Americans posted a 65-26 rebounding advantage and shot 54 percent from the field. The team was also 11 for 25 from behind the arc.

U.S. versus Mexico:

The dominating streak continued for the Americans with a 114-38 blowout over Mexico in second round action on June 27. Capel watched his team lead 61-13 at the half before finishing the game shooting 62 percent from the field while holding a 58-19 rebounding advantage. After winning the two games in group play, the U.S. team was set to face Argentina, the defending gold medalists.

U.S. versus Argentina:

Capel and the U.S. climbed back after trailing in the first quarter the defending gold medalists to regain a 26 point lead at halftime that the team would not surrender. The U.S. defeated Argentina 88-67 on Monday night, shooting 62 percent from the field for the second consecutive time in the tournament to win all of the team’s three games in group play. The win set up the semifinals match-up between the U.S. and Canada.

U.S. versus Canada:

The U.S. dominated the Canadians in an impressive 122-89 win to send the team to the gold medal championship game against Brazil. The Americans shot 54 percent from the field while going 14-24 from three point range.

U.S. versus Brazil:

In the gold medal championship game, the Americans had to battle after trailing 63-58 after three quarters. Capel’s team finally took the lead at the 3:54 minute mark in the fourth quarter. Brazil would rally to tie with less than one minute left in regulation time. Quincy Miller hit a pivotal three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining to give the U.S. the lead and the secure the program’s fifth gold medal.