USA Basketball tops Cuba 87-64 in Havana

There were some cheers for "The Star-Spangled Banner" before USA Basketball's game in Cuba on Independence Day. And then the Americans celebrated the holiday with a win defeating Cuba 87-64 on Monday night to close the first round of qualifying for next year's Basketball World Cup.

The Americans will start the second round of World Cup qualifying on August 25, with the expectation that the first matchup will be against Uruguay in Las Vegas. The US will also play on August 29, probably on the road and likely against Colombia, though FIBA has yet to confirm that as the matchup. The US will be grouped with Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Colombia in the second round.