Curry makes six 3-pointers as Americans top Mexico in World Cup

Associated Press

BARCELONA, SPAIN

Stephen Curry made six 3-pointers and scored 20 points, leading the U.S. national team into the quarterfinals of the Basketball World Cup with an 86-63 victory over Mexico on Saturday.

The Golden State Warriors All-Star was 7 of 10 from the field and 6 of 9 behind the arc, continuing to move a dismal start to the tournament for one of the game’s best shooters.

Warriors teammate Klay Thompson added 15 points for the Americans, who advance to a game Tuesday against either Slovenia or Dominican Republic, who they are a combined 3-0 against this summer. The U.S. beat both easily in exhibition play, then handled the Dominicans again during the group stage in Bilbao.

Curry was just 4 for 17 overall in his first two games, though shot the ball over the next three. He saved his best performance for Barcelona, where the Americans are used to them.

He made consecutive 3s early in the third quarter when the Americans put away the game, the second coming as he was knocked down by a defender who was lucky not to be called for a foul.

Gustavo Ayon scored 25 points for Mexico, which won last year’s FIBA Americas tournament to qualify and then advanced as the No. 4 team out of Group D despite a 2-3 record.

The 6-foot-9 Ayon played for the Atlanta Hawks last season but had his season cut short by right shoulder surgery in February.