BÉLEM, Brazil – Max Christie was in a zone on Wednesday.

When you sink a record eight three-point field goals, a single-game record for the USA, that qualifies.

Cementing  three USA U16 single-game records and tying another, the USA Men’s U16 National Team (3-0) took down previously unbeaten Dominican Republic, 122-71, to close out preliminary play at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship at the Guilherme Paraense Arena.

The win secured the USA’s status as Group A’s top-seed into the Friday’s quarterfinals, where it will play the fourth seed from Group B, which will be determined tonight.

Christie (Rolling Meadows H.S./Arlington Heights, Ill.) scored a game-high 24 points on a USA record 8-of-10 made 3-pointers; Richard ‘Pop Pop’ Isaacs Jr. (Coronado H.S./Las Vegas, Nev.) dished out a USA U16 single-game record 11 assists to go with 13 points and seven rebounds; and as a team, the USA shot a blistering 56.4 percent (22-39 3pt FGs) from 3-point to smash the previous USA U16 record of 47.6% (10-21 on 3s).

Also scoring in double digits were Amari Bailey (Sierra Canyon H.S./Chatsworth, Calif.), who had 18 points; Jalen Duren (Roman Catholic H.S., Pa.)/New Castle, Del.) scored 16 and brought down seven rebounds; Chris Livingston (Buchtel H.S./Akron, Ohio) notched the game’s other double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds; Tamin Lipsey (Ames H.S./Ames, Iowa) added 12 points and passed out seven assists; and Gregg Glenn III (Calvary Christian Academy/Pompano Beach, Fla.) chipped in 11 points.

“It was a very complete effort by our guys in terms of being able to defend, especially in the second half, and sharing the ball the entire game,” said USA head coach Mike Jone of DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Md. “We scored a lot of points, because we were very unselfish. I could not be more proud of their effort today.

“If you were coaching against us, I would imagine it would be pretty tough to prepare, because we’ve had so many guys show what they can do offensively. And then so many guys step up for us defensively as well. That’s an advantage that we’ve always had, our depth, and not missing a beat when we go to our bench. It’s something we want to key on as we keep moving forward.”

Christie surpassed the previous record of seven made 3s set by Gary Trent Jr. (2015) and Bradley Beal (2009), and he tied Adonis Thomas (2009) who also hit 80%, but on 4-of-5 made 3s. The previous single-game assist record was nine, accomplished by both Conner Frankamp and Aaron Gordon in 2011, while the single-game team percentage for 3-pointers has stood since 2009.

“I don’t think I ever have made that many,” said Christie, who netted 15 points on five 3s in the second quarter alone. “It felt good, because I’ve been struggling the last two games to make my shots. To be able to make it in this game felt good.”

The USA was in control throughout most of the win but pulled away in the second half.

After outscoring Dominican Republic 35-22 in the first quarter, the USA extended its lead to 38-24 on a Christie 3-pointer early in the second quarter.

However, Dominican Republic stymied the USA on both ends of the court over a six-minute span. During that time, the islanders went on two 8-0 spurts during a 20-8 run and with 2:18 to go before halftime the USA’s lead had dwindled to 46-44.

“We got out to a slow start,” Livingston said. “We definitely need to start the game off better. That’s something we need to work on for our next games.”

With the help a pair of 3s from Christie over the final two minutes of the first half, and one from Isaacs at the buzzer, the North Americans scored 13-straight points to reestablish a double-digit lead and headed into the locker room up 59-44.

The North Americans strung together a 21-4 run to close the third quarter ahead 87-55 and outscored Dominican Republic 35-16 in the fourth period to secure the 51-point, 122-71 win.

In addition to Isaacs and Lipsey’s combined 18 assists, the USA’s tally of 34 dimes was further bolstered by six from Dillon Hunter (Westlake H.S./Atlanta, Ga.).