|
MEXICO CITY, Mexico- Led by 24 points from Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (Mater Dei H.S. / Anaheim, Calif.) and 23 points from Ariel Massengale (Bolingbrook H.S. / Bolingbrook, Ill.), the 2009 USA Women's U16 National Team (4-0) crushed Brazil (2-2) 105-54 in the FIBA Americas U16 Championship semifinals on Thursday evening at Juan de la Barrera Gym in Mexico City.
The USA advances undefeated to the gold medal game, where it will meet Canada (4-0) at 8:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. EDT) on Friday, Aug. 14. Canada advanced after downing Argentina (2-2) 66-59 in today's other semifinal. Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow's game, the USA and Canada have both secured a berth into the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship. The winner of the bronze medal game, which features Brazil against Argentina (2-2) at 6:00 p.m., also will qualify for the 2010 U17 Worlds.
"I expected Brazil to give us a great game, and they did, especially the first half," said Barbara Nelson, USA and Wingate University head coach. "I think it was good for us. It tested our fortitude. It tested our resilience. It tested our desire to make adjustments. Those are all great growing opportunities for these young ladies."
The USA shot 53.7 percent from 3-point (15-28 3-point FGs), including 5-of-8 from Massengale, 4-of-6 from Jordan Adams (Mater Dei H.S. / Irvine, Calif.), who finished with 12 points, 4-of-9 from Mosqueda-Lewis and 2-of-3 from Alexyz Vaioletama (Mater Dei H.S. / Fountain Valley, Calif.), who added 11 points. Betnijah Laney (Smyrna H.S. / Clayton, Del.) rounded out the USA's double-digit scorers with 11 points and six rebounds.
"Our guards are great at penetration, they are unselfish and they see the floor really well," Mosqueda-Lewis said. "They understand where shooters want the ball, and we were in the right spots to knock them down."
Despite the lopsided final score, Brazil managed to keep pace with the USA in the first 10 minutes. With the USA leading 15-8 at the 3:55 mark, Brazil countered with a 7-0 run to tie the score at 15-15 with 1:33 on the clock. Massengale and Adams each sank a 3-pointer as Brazil managed five more points, and at the first break the USA led by just one point, 21-20.
"There was a point in the beginning when I was a little bit nervous because we couldn't get our momentum going," Hartman said. "I love competition, but it was a lot different from the 20-point leads we had been getting early in games. I never lost confidence, but it was a little nerve-wracking. "
Bashaara Graves (Clarksville H.S. / Clarksville, Tenn.) opened the second period with two free throws at 8:56 to kick start a 14-0 U.S. run that included 10 points from Mosqueda-Lewis and pushed the U.S. advantage to 35-20 at 5:53. The teams traded baskets in the remaining minutes and each added 10 points to close the half with the USA up 45-30.
The red, white and blue opened the second half with a Massengale 3-pointer and never looked back, cruising to 32 points in the period while holding Brazil to just 14. Headed into the final period, the USA had the win securely in its possession with a 77-44 lead.
|
Comments
Comments RSSBe the first to leave a comment!
In order to comment you must be signed in.
Not a member? Register Now.