USA Basketball scored a record-setting 123 points after a slow start to get a second win over Nicaragua and take over first place in Group A of the Americas bracket in the 2025-2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup qualifying window 1. MarJon Beauchamp led all Team USA scorers with 26 points in the 123-93 win.
Nicaragua’s Jared Ruiz led all scorers with 36 points, including 18 from behind the arc and 10 from the charity stripe. Norchad Omier added a rough and tumble 20 points, mostly from the paint. Omier pulled down 20 rebounds.
The win was truly a team effort. Each time there was a brief lull, a different member of the US team sparked the offense. Five players scored in double figures as the team combined for 34 assists. Team USA combined to shoot 72.5% from the field and 40.5% from three-point land for an average of 57.1%.
Defense took a step backwards compared to the first meeting when Team USA held Nicaragua to 67 points.
Guard Brandon Knight entered the game midway through the second quarter and caught fire. The former NBA veteran out of Kentucky scored 11 consecutive points for the US from all over the court, outscoring Nicaragua 11-3.
Beauchamp heated up in the third with 11 points after a relatively quiet (for him) first half. He drained his first three shots from three and finished shooting an impressive 69.2% including 5 of 8 from three.
Defense wasn’t perfect, but it was timely. There were stretches of frenzy that kept Nicaragua off the board while the US built its lead.
Team USA’s lead grew from 21 points at the end of the third as their defensive pressure created turnovers. The lead swelled to a high of 33 points with less than three minutes to play in the final quarter.
The next round of competition begins in February 2027.
MarJon Beauchamp talks about his performance in the win.
USA Basketball Head Coach Stephen Silas and point guard Brandon Knight on the record-setting point total against Nicaragua
Nicaragua’s Josmel Martinez reflects on the rematch with Team USA