Pearl's U.S. team rolls by France 131-77

Coach Bruce Pearl’s Maccabi USA team raced past France on Wednesday, 131-77, at the 18th World Maccabiah Games in Netanya, Israel.

That was considerably closer than a 112-13 win over Mexico in the opening round.

“We continue to shoot the ball well,’’ said Tennessee’s fifth-year head coach. “We made 14 3-pointers.

“The next two games in pool play — Russia and Argentina — are both stronger than France.’’

Todd Golden, who played collegiately at Saint Mary’s, led the USA with 25 points. Dan Grunfeld, the former Stanford star and son of UT legend Ernie Grunfeld, added 23.

UT junior Steven Pearl had nine points, five rebounds and two assists.

The win avenged a loss to France here four years ago, which forced the USA to settle for bronze instead of silver.

“Our players certainly remembered that outcome,’’ Pearl said.

The USA meets Russia on Sunday.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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