With the shot clock running down, Gesell drove the lane for an acrobatic layup giving USA an 81-76 advantage with 1:03 left to play in regulation. South Carolina’s Sindarius Thomwell grabbed a huge rebound on the next possession, passed the ball to Gesell, who streaked down the floor throwing a lob pass to Syracuse’s B.J. Johnson for an emphatic dunk to seal the victory.
Gesell finished the contest with 10 points, five steals, four rebounds and three assists. Iowa junior center Adam Woodbury had nine points, two blocks and a rebound.
The Hawkeye duo helped USA post a 103-59 win over Estonia’s Tallinna Kalev on Monday. A win against the Estonian National Team tomorrow (1 p.m. ET) will give the Americans the Four Nations Cup title.