Rudy Gay scored 17 points to help the U.S. eliminate Angola 121-66 in the FIBA World Championship eight-finals round game.

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Like a one-sided championship boxing match, the USA (6-0) delivered a series of punches to quickly knockout African Zone champ Angola (2-4) Monday night and earn a 121-66 victory to advance to the 2010 FIBA World Championship medal round quarterfinals. The USA was led to the win by Chauncey Billups’ (Denver Nuggets) 19 points on 5-of-7 shooting from 3-point, and by 17 points from Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies) and Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers).

With the win, the USA’s sixth of the championship, the Americans receive two days off before returning to face Russia on Sept. 9 in a medal quarterfinals contest. Russia advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating New Zealand 78-56 in Monday’s nightcap. The USA’s last meeting against Russia in World Championship play came in 2002 when the U.S. battled to a convincing 106-82 win.

“Our guys were sharp, they played hard and they were very unselfish. We played very well,” remarked USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University). “We were very unselfish. It showed in the number of extra passes that we made. We had 30 assists.

“I thought we just stayed aggressive the whole game. A couple days of practice, I think, really helped us. We had not practiced since Aug. 27 and we had two good days of practice. The guys have responded. I’m just pleased that we played like we practiced which is always what a coach wants to see. Hopefully we can keep that attitude as we go into our next game.”

A Billups three and a dunk from Durant got the U.S. out to a 5-0 lead and the red, white and blue never looked back. Owning a 5-4 advantage, the USA reeled off seven straight points and sprinted on for a 17-3 run to grab control 22-7 with 3:41 remaining in the opening quarter.

Owning a 33-13 lead after one quarter, the USA kept the pressure on Angola and at halftime was completely in charge, leading 65-38.

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