USA off to a flier in worlds

USA cruised past Croatia 106-78 to open their world basketball championship campaign in impressive style yesterday. Playing second up in pool B, the US had to battle hard in the opening quarter with a determined Croatia matching the Americans point for point, with the favourites holding only a slim two-point lead going into the second quarter at 22-10. However, the Croatians’ good work in the opening stanza was undone in the second as their shooting went cold. USA take to the court first today, meeting Slovenia who earlier yesterday defeated Tunisia 80-56.