Bryant Crucial in Record-Setting Win Over Nigeria

The U.S. set records for points in a game, points in a half, 3-pointers, field goals and field goal percentage

By Steven Covelman

| Thursday, Aug 2, 2012 | Updated 5:11 PM PDT

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Kobe Bryant #10 of United States goes up for a slam dunk against Nigeria in the first half during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England.

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After two lackluster performances against Tunisia and France, Lakers star Kobe Bryant put things together Thursday, scoring 16 points in a record setting 156-73 victory for the U.S. team over Nigeria.

In the first quarter Bryant scored 14 of the team’s 49 points. He finished the game shooting six-of-eight from the field.

Former UCLA star Russell Westbrook, a graduate of Lawndale's Leuzinger High School, added 21 points to the rout. Clippers guard Chris Paul dished out seven assists.

Former UCLA sensation Kevin Love dropped 15 points in the effort.

Carmelo Anthony set the tone for the performance, scoring 37 points, an American Olympic record for points in a game by an individual.

The U.S. also set records for points in a game and points in a half with 78.

U.S. records for 3-pointers (26), field goals (59) and field goal percentage (71) were also smashed.

"When we get hot, it’s a big problem," Bryant told the Associated Press. "So you have all these guys on one team and then all get hot on the same night, it’s tough."

Next on the docket for the U.S. team is Lithuania, which has dropped two contests to France and Argentina in pool play.

The teams will face off Friday.