Ron Baker, U.S. men’s basketball team defeat Venezuela in Pan Am opener

Nearly forgotten offensively for most of Tuesday night’s Pan American Games men’s basketball opener, Wichita State’s Ron Baker played good defense and helped the United States rally from a eight-point deficit to beat Venezuela 85-62 in Toronto.

Baker played 22 1/2 of the game’s 40 minutes and didn’t score until two late driving left-handed baskets and a final-minute three-pointer. He didn’t attempt an outside shot until the game’s final basket, finishing with seven points and one steal.

Keith Langford, who completed his Kansas career in 2005, had three points and three rebounds in 20 1/2 minutes.

The U.S. outscored Venezuela 26-12 in the third quarter, then scored 15 of the first 18 points of the final quarter.

Venezuela controlled the second quarter to take a 41-33 halftime lead.

Despite eight offensive rebounds and a nine-rebound edge in the first half, the Americans watched Venezuela take control with hot three-point shooting. After Langford’s three with 8:33 to play in the period, Venezuela made four three-pointers the remainder of the quarter for a lead as big as nine.

Baker didn’t get the ball in shooting position in the first half, as the U.S. team struggled for good ball movement. The U.S. had nine first-half baskets (on 32 shots) and turned the ball over eight times.

Langford made 1 of 2 three-point shots in the first half for his points.

The U.S. plays Puerto Rico at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 10:08 PM with the headline "Ron Baker, U.S. men’s basketball team defeat Venezuela in Pan Am opener."