Tobe Awaka Continues To Shine In Under-19s
The United States defeated Slovenia by a score of 77-72 on Sunday in their second game in pool play in the 2023 Under-19 FIBA World Cup due largely to the performance of Tennessee forward Tobe Awaka.
The rising sophomore backed up his 12 points on Friday with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds on Saturday. Head coach Thomas Martin Boyle decided to roll with an entirely new starting five after the blowout game one win and, in doing so, rewarded Awaka with the start in game two, and Awaka made sure to show him that he made the correct decision. He was 7-for-11 from the field in over 28 minutes of play. Six of his 11 rebounds came on the offensive end.
Tennessee F Tobe Awaka
The game overall was much tighter than the 136-69 win over Madagascar on Friday. Slovenia outscored the United States in the first and second quarters, giving them a 40-33 lead at the break. They continued their good play with a 21-19 third quarter, so the United States found itself in a nine-point hole after three. The US dominated the fourth, though, outsourcing Slovenia 25-11. Tobe Awaka’s floater with 1:48 gave the US a 73-71 lead, which proved enough in the 77-72 win. He followed the shot up with a rebound to end the next defensive possession. An offensive rebound just a few moments later kept a key play alive; Awaka had his fingerprints all over this one. The third and final group play game for Tobe Awaka and the United States is on Tuesday against Lebanon.
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