Former UCLA Star Kevin Love Leads Team USA to 110-63 Victory Over Tunisia

After a slow start, the U.S. men's basketball team put on a dominating performance

By Steven Covelman

| Tuesday, Jul 31, 2012 | Updated 5:34 PM PDT

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Deron Williams #8 of United States and team mate Kevin Love #11 celebrate winning the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on July 31, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Led by a 16 point performance from former UCLA star Kevin Love, the U.S. men’s basketball team cruised to a 110-63 victory over Tunisia.

In the first half Team USA played uninspired basketball, missing all eight of its three point attempts in the first quarter.

Going into the locker room, the United States had only a 13-point lead against the only team in the field without an NBA player on its roster.

But coming out of halftime, U.S. players turned things around and a rout ensued.

The second unit of Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love and Andre Iguodala open the third quarter with a 21-3 run.

The United States eventually outscored Tunisia 39-14 that quarter, creating an insurmountable 85-47 lead. In 17 minutes of play, Love went six of nine from the field with six rebounds.

Love’s former UCLA teammate, Westbrook, added 11 points to the winning effort.

Lakers star Kobe Bryant started the game, but proceeded to spend most of it on the bench. He racked up a team low nine minutes of action.

Clippers point guard Chris Paul contributed a team high seven assists, but only had two points.

The U.S. men’s basketball team will take to the court again Thursday against Nigeria.

They defeated Tunisia 60-56 on Sunday.