VALDIVIA, Chile – On Thursday morning, Kevin Huerter took additional shots during the Team USA one-hour shootaround and left the arena feeling more confident.

With Team USA struggling with just nine points in the first quarter and trailing by five points, Huerter helped energize his team with his outside shooting.

"Kevin went in, and he changed the whole complexion of the game," said head coach Shaka Smart. "In fact, he changed the game so much that they went to a box-and-one for the rest of the game when he was in, which made it easier for our other guys. He was definitely the MVP on the offensive end tonight.”

He had a terrific first half - connecting on four three-point pointers en route to a team-high 14 points as Team USA defeated Chile 70-50.

"Kevin responded in a very loud and hostile environment," said Mark Turgeon, an assistant coach on Team USA who will also coach Huerter at the University of Maryland. "I don't know where we would have been at halftime without Kevin. He made some very big shots."

Huerter, a 6-7 guard, credited both his coaches and teammates with providing him with confidence to come of the bench and make his open shots.

"My shot wasn't falling the first two games," said Huerter.  "My coaches said to be ready to come off the bench and make shots. My teammates did a great job driving and kicking it out and I had a lot of open looks. And my shots just fell tonight."

The arena was buzzing - especially when Chile finished the first quarter with the aforementioned five-point lead.

"It was a great experience," said Huerter. "We were trailing. Playing a really good team in front of a great crowd in a tremendous atmosphere. This will certainly prepare me for Big Ten play.

Throughout his Team USA experience, Huerter has embraced his role coming off the bench.

"My focus was to give our team a lift," said Huerter.  "We had open looks and I just wanted to come off the bench and hit my shots."

Huerter was also joined in Chile by his parents, Tom and Erin, and sisters, Meghan and Jillian.

In addition to having his family's support, Huerter has also had the opportunity to bond with his new college head coach - Turgeon.

"It's been great to spend quality time together over the past week-in-a-half with Coach Turgeon," said Huerter.

Team USA finished 3-0 in its Group B play and will next face Brazil in Semifinal action tonight (Friday) at 8:15 pm EDT.

"Hopefully, we can bring back the gold," said Huerter.

-Terps-