The U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team beat Nigeria Thursday night with an impressive blowout score of 156-73.
After leading by 26 in the first quarter, the Americans set an Olympic record by scoring 78 points in the first half alone.
Carmelo Anthony broke the U.S. single-game scoring record in less than three quarters with 37 points and making 10 of 12 three-pointers. And he only played for 14 minutes.
The team broke the Olympic record for most points scored in a game when the game had just under five minutes remaining.
The previous record for most points was set by Brazil in 1988 when they beat Egypt 138-85.
They also set U.S. records with 26 3-pointers, 59 field goals, and a field-goal percentage of 71. They made 81 percent of their two-pointers and 63 percent of their three-pointers.
The 2012 team also proved they could keep up with the 1992 Dream Team. The 2012 team surpassed the Dream Team’s 136-57 victory against Cuba with an 83-point margin.
Kobe Bryant scored 16 points, 14 of them in the first quarter. Russell Westbrook scored 21 points, Kevin Love knocked down 15 and Kevin Durant finished with 14 points.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski gave his players Wednesday off to rest and watch other Olympic games.
The undefeated Team USA will play their fourth game against Lithuania on Saturday.