U.S. thumps Mexico to reach World Cup quarters

Barcelona, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - Stephen Curry scored 20 points and Klay Thompson added 15, leading the United States to an 86-63 rout of Mexico in the round of 16 on Saturday at the FIBA World Cup.

The Golden State duo combined to make 9-of-18 shots from 3-point range and the Americans shot 46.6 percent overall en route to a Tuesday quarterfinal game against Slovenia. James Harden scored all 12 of his points in the first half for the United States and DeMarcus Cousins chipped in 11 points.

Gustavo Ayon led Mexico with 25 points and eight rebounds.

The Americans never trailed, opening the game with the first four points en route to a quick 13-2 advantage. Mexico reeled off the next seven to pull within four, but that was as close it got.

Curry drilled a three to kick-start a 10-2 run that increased the U.S. lead to 23-11 before a Fernando Cruz tip-in made it a 10-point game after the opening 10 minutes.

Mexico clawed within eight early in the second quarter, but another Curry three ignited a 10-2 U.S. burst. Harden's trey capped the spurt and gave the Americans a 35-19 cushion with just under 5 1/2 minutes left in the period.

The U.S. carried a 42-27 lead into the break behind 12 points from Harden and nine from Curry. Ayon scored 12 for Mexico, which never threatened in the second half.

After a Kyrie Irving bucket to start the second half, Curry buried threes on consecutive U.S. possessions to extend the margin to 23. He hit one more midway through the third to make it 55-30 and the bulge reached 30 late in the stanza.

The Americans led by as many as 37 in the fourth.

Slovenia advanced Saturday with a 71-61 win over the Dominican Republic.

France earned a quarterfinal berth with a 69-64 victory over Croatia and will play Spain, which defeated Senegal, 89-56. The two teams will play on Wednesday.