USA OPENS With a 35-Point Beatdown on Nicaragua

The United States walked into Managua, breathed in the air, heard the crowd screaming for Nicaragua, and then said:

“Cute. It’s time to whoop that a**.”

The final was an embarrassing, USA 102, Nicaragua 67.

And that score is generous. The vibes were not.

This wasn’t just a win, it was a “Welcome to Qualifying, please take your complimentary blowout” performance. USA Basketball didn’t ease into this FIBA cycle; they drop-kicked the door off the hinges.

MarJon Beauchamp Started This Game Like He Found Unlimited Boost in GTA

MarJon Beauchamp must’ve eaten jet fuel pregame because he came out FLAMING. Man scored:

• 15 of Team USA’s first 22 points
• Hit his first three threes
• Shot 9-for-13
• Finished with 24 points
• And casually added 3 rebounds + 3 assists because why not

Nicaragua came out loud and hyped — Beauchamp silenced the building before halftime.

He literally said:

“I’ve never played in an environment like this. I’m thankful to be here.”

Translation:
“This gym was loud for like four minutes. Y’all can go home now.”

USAB’s Basically a Shooting Clinic on National TV

The Americans came out hitting 6-of-10 from deep in the first quarter. They led 31–20 and were controlling the game like they had the sliders turned up on 2K.

Then, Nicaragua made a cute little 11–2 run. USA said:

“Reset that. Enough.”

And closed the half on a 20–7 punch that made the halftime score 59–39, which is clinically known as “game over.”

After halftime the US simply pressed the gas pedal through the floorboard.

• Lead stretched to 71–43
• Assist-to-highlight ratio skyrocketed
• Fastbreaks looked like an AAU mixtape
• Nicaragua looked like they wanted to file a noise complaint

And the best part?

USA went full democratic basketball, everybody ate.

Brandon Knight dropped 14 like it was 2013 again.

Kyle Guy added 11 because that jumper will ALWAYS be pure.

At one point the Americans had 22 fastbreak points to Nicaragua’s 2, which is sentencing-level basketball.

USA’s Defense Was a Crime Scene

21 turnovers forced.

9 blocks.

Interior defense like a brick wall wrapped in barbed wire.

Head coach Stephen Silas summed it up perfectly:

“Human nature creeps in when you go home. We can’t have a letdown.”

He knows Atlanta can’t be sweet.

He wants another 30-piece.

And honestly?

This squad might deliver one.

Up Next: The Rematch in Atlanta

Dec. 4.

Courtside 1891.

7 p.m.

USA vs Nicaragua Part II.

If game one was any indication…

Game two might end with running clock rules.