Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd will need to figure out ways next season to win games when his star freshman Koa Peat is having an off night.
Lloyd got a preview of that Friday, as his Team USA eked out a 108-102 win over Canada to reach the semifinals of the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland on a day when Peat wasn’t sharp.
The incoming Wildcats forward scored seven points on 3 of 13 shooting in 20 minutes. Peat, who also had 11 rebounds, fouled out in the fourth quarter.
Friday’s contest was the first game of the World Cup in which Peat didn’t score double figures. For the tournament, he is averaging 13.8 points and 6.6 rebounds.
Lloyd was displeased with the heavily officiated contest (for what it’s worth Canada had 29 fouls to USA’s 19). He picked up a technical foul in the fourth quarter after arguing with referees.
USA opened up a seven point lead at halftime but Canada kept the game close throughout. The Americans needed until the final minute to clinch the victory.
USA will face New Zealand in the semifinals Saturday at 11 a.m. The game can be streamed on FIBA’s YouTube page.