Nolan Richardson’s Mexico team played the U.S. tough for a while, but the Americans pulled away for a 127-100 victory Monday night in the second round of the FIBA Americas tournament in Las Vegas.
Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points, tying the American record in an Olympic qualifier. He had 16 in a sensational opening quarter, when the Americans shot 80 percent. But the Mexicans outplayed their more talented counterparts for much of the next two periods before the U.S. put them away for good late in the third.
Kobe Bryant added 21 points, and LeBron James and Dwight Howard had 19 apiece for the United States, which led by only 15 points midway through the third quarter after beating its first four opponents by 48.4 points per game.
*The Magic signed 6-11 forward Marcin Gortat, whom it acquired from Phoenix on draft night in 2005. He has played in Germany for three years.
* Allen Iverson’s stepfather, Michael Andre Freeman, 51, was indicted on federal drug-distribution charges in Norfolk, Va.
*WNBA: Tamika Catchings had 30 points and 13 rebounds as Indiana rallied from a 39-17 second-quarter deficit to defeat Connecticut 93-88 in overtime and advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
*COLLEGES: Nevada’s Lyndale Burleson, expected to be the Wolf Pack’s starting point guard, has been declared academically ineligible for the fall. … Elena Delle Donne, a 6-5 guard considered the top women’s basketball prospect, has committed to Connecticut, her father said.
