OTTAWA, Ontario — The U.S. men erased a seven-point halftime deficit and took the lead three times in the fourth quarter, but Italy controlled the closing minutes to earn a 66-59 win September 13 at TD Place during tournament play in Ottawa.

The United States held its final lead at 55-54 after Brian Bell scored with 5:04 remaining. Italy outscored the U.S. 12-4 from that point, retaking the lead through Giulió Maria Papi before Andrea Giaretti helped stretch the margin and Italy finished the game at the free-throw line.

EARLY CONTROL

The U.S. men separated early through scoring and turnovers. Trévon Jenifer scored the opening basket, then stole a pass that led to Bell’s layup for a 4-0 lead. Jorge Salazar added another basket, and Jenifer scored again as the United States pushed the margin to 10-2 midway through the first quarter.

Italy began cutting into the advantage, but the U.S. stayed in front through the end of the period. John Boie scored off a Bell assist for a 14-8 lead, and Salazar converted again just before the quarter ended to send the Americans into the second with an 18-13 advantage.

ITALY TAKES CONTROL

Fabian Romo’s layup gave the United States a 20-16 lead with 7:48 remaining in the second quarter, but Italy responded with 11 consecutive points.

Ahmed Raourahi tied the score at 20, then completed a three-point play and added another basket. Papi and Filippo Carossino followed to give Italy a 27-20 advantage.

Bell and Jenifer helped the U.S. cut into the margin late in the half, but Giaretti scored Italy’s final five points, including a three-pointer with 45.5 seconds remaining. Italy carried a 32-25 lead into halftime.

Boie said Italy’s defensive approach made it difficult for the U.S. to create the weak-side positioning it wanted in the half court.

“They didn’t send the help a lot from the weak side,” Boie said, referring to Italy’s defense. “So it was hard to get my big guy in on the weak side.”

Boie said the Americans were more effective in transition than in the half court. When asked what needed to change when the offense became stagnant, he pointed to “more ball movement.”

THIRD-QUARTER RESPONSE

Italy extended its lead to nine early in the third before the U.S. worked its way back.

Bell scored three times during one stretch, including consecutive baskets that brought the Americans within 38-33. After another Italy turnover, Bell scored off a Jenifer assist to make it 38-35.

Italy rebuilt the margin, but the U.S. stayed within reach. Boie’s layup cut the deficit to 42-39, and Salazar converted two free throws late in the quarter. Jacob Williams then scored a layup and completed the three-point play with 1.2 seconds remaining, leaving Italy ahead 48-44 entering the fourth.

THREE FOURTH-QUARTER LEADS

The U.S. erased the remaining deficit in the opening minutes of the fourth.

Salazar scored and added a free throw to make it 50-49, then Bell converted with 6:57 remaining to put the U.S. ahead 51-50. Giaretti answered for Italy, but Salazar restored the American lead at 53-52. Carossino put Italy back in front before Bell’s layup at 5:04 made it 55-54 — the third and final U.S. lead of the quarter.

Italy answered again.

Papi scored with 3:35 remaining to make it 56-55. Carossino added a free throw, and Giaretti’s layup extended the margin to 59-55. Williams brought the U.S. within two with 1:36 remaining, but Papi responded on Italy’s next possession to restore a four-point lead.

Salazar’s layup with 30.1 seconds remaining cut the deficit to 62-59, but Papi and Giaretti combined to make four free throws in the closing seconds as Italy secured the 66-59 result.

THE NUMBERS

Salazar led the U.S. men with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Bell finished with 18 points and eight assists, while Jenifer added nine points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists. Boie scored four points on 2-for-2 shooting in 35:34.

The U.S. shot 39.7 percent from the field and finished 0-for-10 from three-point range. Italy shot 54.5 percent overall and held a 36-27 rebounding advantage. The Americans forced 18 Italy turnovers while committing seven.

Jenifer, who finished with five personal fouls, said the response would begin with reviewing the game.

“We’ll go back, watch the film, and then see where we need to adjust,” Jenifer said.

Boie also framed the loss as part of the team’s progression through the tournament.

“We haven’t peaked yet,” he said. “We’re going to.”