The United States men's basketball team needed a fourth quarter rally to defeat Uruguay, 91-77, at a regional World Championship qualifying tournament in the Dominican Republic.
Charlie Bell scored 20 points, and Aaron McGhee added 19 to help lead the Americans to victory Thursday night after Uruguay had taken an eight-point lead at the end of the third quarter.
Uruguay had won only one previous game at this tournament, and has already been eliminated from qualifying for next year's World Championships in Japan. The win gives the USA a 4-2 record in the second round standings and was critical.
The U.S. team finishes second round play later Friday against Puerto Rico, which lost to Panama Thursday, 74-55. In other games, reigning world champion Argentina beat Venezuela, 78-60.
The top four teams at this tournament will qualify for the 2006 World Championships. Argentina gets an automatic berth as defending champion.
Some information for this report provided by AP.