Michigan sophomore Tim Hardaway Jr. made a game-winning jumper with 47 seconds remaining in Team USA’s 80-78 win over Serbia Friday at the FIBA U19 World Championships in Latvia.

After three straight blowouts -- two exhibition losses and one preliminary round win over Egypt -- Team USA found itself in its first close contest.

“It came down to some big plays," Hardaway said. "We didn’t hold our head down, we all came together as a team and I think this W proves to everybody that we are playing together and we are getting better.”

Hardaway finished with 11 points and a team-high four assists for the U.S., which guaranteed itself first place in group play regardless of the outcome of Saturday's 11:30 a.m. game against winless China.

Team USA trailed 77-74 when Tony Mitchell (North Texas) was fouled on an offensive putback and made both free throws with 2:24 left to play. Memphis guard Joe Jackson tied the game at 78-78 on a drive with 1:58 left, setting up Hardaway's game-winner.

“Joe Jackson made big time plays in transition all game long,” said USA coach Paul Hewitt. Jackson finished with 19 points.

Hardaway played 22 minutes off the bench and made 3 of 9 shots, including 1 of 7 from 3-point range.

"I was just taking what the defense gave me and my teammates did a great job of finding me, and I was able to come up with big baskets when we needed them," he said. "The ball was in my hands and I like the ball in my hands when we need a basket."