Mexico stuns US in FIBA World Cup qualifying

Mexico pulled off a massive upset Thursday, beating the United States 78-70 in a qualifying game for next year's FIBA World Cup.

Francisco Cruz scored 24 points and Orlando Mendez-Valdez added 20 points for Mexico, which opened with an 18-0 run and held off the US after the dominant opening six minutes. It was just the second loss by the US in 30 games against Mexico, according to USA Basketball, with the other defeat coming in the 2011 Pan Am Games.

The US team, which is coached by former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy, is using a roster composed primarily of G League players for the qualifying rounds.

Marcus Thornton led Team USA with 14 points, Xavier Munford added 11 points while David Stockton and Reggie Hearn each had 10.

After falling behind big early, failing to score for nearly six minutes to begin the game and trailing 31-10 after one quarter, the US pulled within 56-54 early in the fourth quarter, but never pulled ahead.

The Americans (4-1) have already ensured a spot in the second round of qualifying that starts in September. If Team USA can advance in the second round of qualifying it will earn a sport in the World Cup in China, which begins on Aug. 31, 2019. Seven teams from the 2019 World Cup will qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

— Field Level Media/Reuters