USA Basketball Women’s National Team Gains Critical Training
Basketball head coach Geno Auriemma had to take team training when it could be squeezed in. The USA squad opened its 2012
W
training May 11-13 in Seattle, Wash., and previewed its team when it faced China in an exhibition game it won 100-62. Gathering in Washington, D.C.,
from their respective WNBA teams throughout the country, the 2012 USA Basketball Women's National Team resumed its pre-Olympic training camp July 14, and in the two weeks leading up to the London Olympics posted four exhibition victories, defeating Brazil (99-67), Great Britain 88-63), Croatia (109-55) and Turkey (80-61).
USA 100, China 62 Including five players that scored in
double digits, the USA was impressive in its 100-62 exhibition win over China on May 12 at KeyArena in Seattle, Wash. Led by 19 points from Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), the U.S. shot 60.9 percent from the field (42-69 FGs) and compiled a 35-17 advantage on the glass, which led to 60 points in the paint. Maya Moore (Minnesota Lynx)
added 15 points, Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky) finished with 12 points and seven rebounds and Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks) and Swin Cash (Chicago Sky) each scored 10 points. “When you’ve only had one practice
with the team and this is our first game, it’s not going to look great,” admitted Geno Auriemma, USA and University of Connecticut head coach. “(China) is disciplined and (they) do their thing and make it difficult for us. I thought the things that we wanted to accomplish – setting a tone for how this particular United States team is going to play and what we’re going to be about – I thought we did that.” China put the game’s first points on
the board, but a 3-pointer from Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) at 9:19 erased that deficit, and the USA never again trailed. China’s two 3-pointers in
56
ith the Olympics being held in the midst of the WNBA season, USA
the last 1:35 of the first period helped it keep the gap to eight points, 29-21, after the first 10 minutes. Catchings collected four of her five
steals in the last 5:07 of second quarter, and all four led to layups during a 14-6 U.S. run that brought the score to 52-33 at halftime.
seven assists, Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx) scored 12 points, Tina Charles (Connecticut Sun) contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds and Moore finished with 11 points and six boards. “I wanted to make sure we came
out, got good looks and shared the ball, moved the ball,” said Whalen. “I think it was a good start for us; we got up, pressured the ball, made sure things happened.” The USA trailed 4-2 in the first
1:30 of the game, but two points from Charles ignited a 13-0 U.S. spurt that included two 3-pointers from Augustus. Meanwhile, Brazil was ice-cold from the field, shooting 0-for-5 to start the game and just 31.9 percent overall (23-72 FGs). By the time the first quarter buzzer
sounded, the USA had built a 27-14 advantage. Eight of the USA’s 25 forced
turnovers came in the first quarter, thanks in part to a full-court press, and the North Americans tallied 27 assists on their 35 made field goals. “There were moments where we
Seimone Augustus was a key contributor for the Americans who during their pre-Olympic tour averaged 10.4 points and 2.8 rebounds a game.
The USA went on to outscore China
26-16 in the third quarter and 22-13 in the fourth to bring the game to its final score.
USA 99, Brazil 67 The U.S. led from start to finish in
its 99-67 exhibition win over Brazil on July 16 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The exhibition contest came just two days after the USA gathered on July 14 in the nation’s capi- tol for training camp. Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota Lynx),
who tallied 21 points and dished out five assists, was honored as the Tiffany Player of the Game; while four other U.S. players also reached double-digit scoring. Taurasi tallied 16 points and
looked really, really good, and there were moments where we really struggled at both ends of the floor,” said Auriemma. “Little by little, we'll get to where we need to be, but they're a great group, and we're going to be okay.” Brazil battled throughout the game,
but the USA had too much talent and depth, and never let up. By halftime, the lead had stretched to 20 points, 51-31. Two 3-pointers from Taurasi in the
third quarter, as well as seven points in the period from Moore, helped the USA take a 24-point lead, 72-48, into the final stanza and the U.S. sailed in for the win.
USA 88, Great Britain 63 After a sluggish start, the USA
erased an 11-point deficit and rode a 21-0 run to collect an eventual 88-63 win over Great Britain on July 18 in Manchester, England. Moore earned the Tiffany & Co.
Player of the Game honors after leading the USA with 18 points, five assists and
USA Basketball News
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images
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